Trump Biopic Set for Pre-Election Release Amid Controversy and Objections

Former President Donald Trump’s attempts to suppress a biopic about his rise in the New York real estate world may not be successful. The film, titled “The Apprentice,” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and continues to be on track for a release in the U.S. before the upcoming November elections.

Despite a cease and desist order issued in May and pressure from some Hollywood elites aligned with Trump, the release date for the film remains set. According to reports from Deadline, a potential date of October 11 has been mentioned. The film’s distribution was briefly hindered by a company owned by Dan Snyder, the former owner of the Washington football team, who reportedly took issue with how Trump was portrayed in the biopic.

However, there are plans in motion to buy out Snyder’s stake in the film, which could allow “The Apprentice” to be distributed with a significant markup of 40%. The film is being handled by Briarcliff Entertainment, a distributor known for past works by Michael Moore and other notable filmmakers.

While the film’s release strategy includes presenting it at select film festivals in both the U.S. and international markets, obstacles still remain. The film reportedly left audiences at Cannes in shock, raising anticipation for how it will be received by wider audiences.

Trump’s campaign has vigorously denied the film’s portrayal, labeling the depiction of a scene involving the alleged spousal rape of his ex-wife Ivana as “pure malicious defamation.” This statement was made to Variety earlier this year. Notably, Trump was recently found civilly liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll by a New York court.

Despite the legal challenges he’s faced, Trump has so far refrained from pursuing further legal action to block the film’s release, aside from the initial cease and desist. This lack of additional legal maneuvers raises questions about the potential effectiveness of his earlier efforts to suppress the film.

As the release date approaches, the film industry closely watches how the public and critics will respond to the unfolding story of Trump’s early career and the more controversial aspects of his personal life depicted in the movie.

With its contentious themes and high-profile subject, “The Apprentice” appears positioned to spark significant discussions and debate upon its eventual debut in theaters.