As the highly anticipated Donald Trump biopic, “The Apprentice,” hit theaters, it seems the former president himself has taken notice—and he’s not happy about it. In a scathing rant on his Truth Social platform, Trump unleashed a flurry of attacks on the film, calling it a “fake and classless” project and a “cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job.”
But the director of the film, Ali Abbasi, isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. In a bold move, Abbasi directly responded to Trump’s tirade, offering to have a conversation with the former president—if he can manage to squeeze it into his busy schedule.
“Thanks for getting back to us, @realDonaldTrump,” Abbasi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I am available to talk further if you want. Today is a tight day with a lot of press for #TheApprentice, but I might be able to give you a call tomorrow.”
It’s a daring move, to be sure, but one that seems to perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the film itself. “The Apprentice” delves deeply into Trump’s ascent to power, detailing his early days in the New York real estate industry and his turbulent relationship with the late Roy Cohn, portrayed by the talented Jeremy Strong.
And if Trump’s reaction is any indication, the filmmakers have managed to capture the essence of the man in all its complex, controversial glory. The former president’s scathing rebuke of the project, which he dismisses as the work of a “lowlife and talentless hack,” suggests that the film has struck a nerve, delving into the darker corners of Trump’s past in a way that the notoriously thin-skinned leader simply can’t abide.
Screenwriter Gabe Sherman, who has long been a thorn in Trump’s side, couldn’t resist responding to the former president’s outburst with some playful jabs. “It’s nice to see Mr. Trump remember Roy [Cohn]’s second rule: Admit nothing, deny everything,” he quipped, alluding to the lessons Trump learned from his ruthless mentor.
But the real test will be whether audiences are willing to brave the controversy and give “The Apprentice” a chance. With the film already facing a rocky road to distribution—including a cease-and-desist attempt from Trump himself—it remains to be seen whether the public will embrace this bold, no-holds-barred portrait of one of the most polarizing figures in modern American history.
Abbasi and his team have already established their battle lines. And if Trump’s response is any indication, they’re ready to go toe-to-toe with the former president in a war of words and wills. Whether that translates to box office success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: “The Apprentice” is poised to be one of the most talked-about and controversial films of the year.
Now it’s your turn, Mr. Trump. Will you take Abbasi up on his offer for a conversation? Or will you persist in criticizing a project that appears determined to reveal the facets of your extraordinary character? The world is observing, preparing for an epic showdown.