Donald Trump sends cease-and-desist letter to block ‘The Apprentice’ biopic release
Donald Trump’s attorneys have reportedly sent producers of the forthcoming “The Apprentice” film a cease-and-desist letter in order to stop the sale and release of the bombshell film in the US.
Two people who reviewed the notice said it warned the production team to not pursue a distribution deal, according to a report published by Variety Friday.
Trump’s rep Steven Cheung said in a statement, “This ‘film’ is pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day, and doesn’t even deserve a place in the straight-to-DVD section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a dumpster fire.”
The producers, meanwhile, said in response to the cease-and-desist letter, “The film is a fair and balanced portrait of the former president. We want everyone to see it and then decide.”
Donald Trump and his attorneys reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to the producers of “The Apprentice” film. AFP via Getty Images
A rep for the former president called the film “pure malicious defamation.” AFP via Getty Images
The New York Post reported earlier this week that Trump’s campaign was looking to file a lawsuit against the filmmakers, with Cheung pointing out that the release of the movie as the Republican candidate prepares to face off against President Joe Biden could be seen as “election interference.”
“As with the illegal Biden Trials, this is election interference by Hollywood elites, who know that President Trump will retake the White House and beat their candidate of choice because nothing they have done has worked,” the spokesman argued.
“The Apprentice” film, which stars Sebastian Stan in the lead role, made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in France Monday and reportedly received a standing ovation that lasted eight to 11 minutes.
Sebastian Stan (right), seen here alongside Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, plays a younger version of Trump in the film. ©Mongrel Media/Courtesy Everett Collection
“The Apprentice” follows the early days of Trump’s career. Getty Images
The shocking film — which follows the rise of Trump as a real estate mogul after he meets lawyer and mentor Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong — features some disturbing and embarassing allegations.
There is reportedly a scene in which Trump gets liposuction and a hair transplant.
The former president also violently rapes his ex-wife Ivana Trump in another moment in the biopic.
“The Apprentice” movie reportedly features a scene in which Donald rapes Ivana Trump. Getty Images
Ivana previously accused her ex of sexual assault but retracted it years later as he was running for US president. Getty Images
The late socialite — who died in her apartment in July 2022 at age 73 — had previously accused her ex of sexual assault in her 1989 divorce deposition.
However, Ivana retracted the claim in 2015 after Donald announced he was running for US president. The former couple shared three kids: Donald Trump Jr., 46, Ivanka Trump, 42, and Eric Trump, 40.
Cheung also told The Post of the film, “This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked.” He did not return Page Six’s request for comment on the cease-and-desist letter.
