In Ali Abbasi’s film The Apprentice, one scene stands out as particularly disturbing among many unflattering portrayals of Donald Trump. In this controversial sequence, Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) violently throws his then-wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova) to the ground and forces himself on her. The scene starts with Ivana playfully presenting Trump with a book about the benefits of female orgasms. However, things quickly take a dark turn when Trump, showing no interest, tells her he is no longer attracted to her. An argument ensues, and Trump throws her to the ground. As he forcibly assaults her, he coldly sneers, Is that your G spot? Did I find it?
Before the film’s premiere, insiders claimed that the scene, which Variety had previously reported on, was consensual but uncomfortable. However, reactions from the audience suggested otherwise. A woman in her 20s described the scene as gross and called it rape after the credits rolled. Another attendee agreed, referring to it as a disturbing act of sexual assault.
The film follows Trump’s rise from an insecure real estate hopeful in the 1970s to a self-proclaimed killer and winner by the mid-’80s. To avoid potential litigation, the film includes a disclaimer that it is based on true events, with some character names changed. Alongside Trump, the characters who get the most screen time are Roy Cohn (played by Jeremy Strong) and Ivana Trump (played by Maria Bakalova), both of whom have passed away.
It’s quite extraordinary for a film to depict a former president in such a controversial light. According to sources familiar with the script, the scene was even more explicit in earlier drafts. The inclusion of the scene was heavily debated for its relevance to the storyline.
The rape scene is not the only moment that Trump might find objectionable. The film also depicts him taking amphetamine pills, undergoing liposuction, and having surgery to remove his bald spot. Despite Roy Cohn molding him from a nobody into a mogul, Trump shows no loyalty to his mentor when he is dying of AIDS. In one scene, the notoriously germophobic Trump has his house fumigated after Cohn leaves.
Despite the shocking content, one insider suggests that audiences might find The Apprentice to be a strangely humanizing portrayal of a man vilified by half of the country. The film, being sold by CAA, WME, and Rocket Science, premiered without distribution. It remains uncertain if any buyers will be willing to take on such a controversial project, especially as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
Overall, The Apprentice is a bold film that delves into the darker aspects of Donald Trump’s past, stirring significant controversy and debate about its portrayal of real events and characters.
Source: Variety
