Donald Trump's heartbreak: Controversial biopic with assault allegations to be released before the US elections

A highly controversial biopic that portrays former President Donald Trump in an unflattering light during his early years as a New York real estate magnate is set to hit US theaters this fall. The film, titled The Apprenticehas the same name as the reality TV show that brought Trump to national fame, but offers a completely different portrayal of his life.

At his debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival earlier this year The Apprentice has already sparked considerable controversy, particularly for its portrayal of Trump's personal life. The film includes a scene in which the younger Trump allegedly assaults his first wife, Ivana Trump, in 1990 – a claim she made during divorce proceedings. Although Ivana retracted the specific rape allegation in 2015, saying she felt “abused” more broadly during their marriage, the film's inclusion of the scene has reignited debates about Trump's past.

Despite efforts by Trump’s legal team to prevent the film’s release, including sending cease and desist letters to the producers, NBC News reported that The Apprentice is scheduled to be released in the US on October 11, just weeks before the 2024 presidential election.

The Trump campaign was quick to condemn the film. Spokesman Steven Cheung called it “pure malicious slander.” The campaign has hinted that there may be legal action against the filmmakers. The film is full of “obviously false claims” and is an “overblown” work of fiction. Cheung also said the film does not deserve a place in the public eye and is not even worthy of being in the bargain bin of a discount store.

The Apprentice Sebastian Stan plays the young Trump, Jeremy Strong is known for his role in HBO’s Consequencewhich will portray Trump's mafia-connected lawyer and confidant Roy Cohn. The script, written by Vanity Fair special correspondent Gabriel Sherman, who has covered the Trump administration extensively, is said to offer a “balanced” view of Trump's rise in the real estate world. Iranian-Danish director Adi Abbasi is helming the project and takes a critical look at Trump's formative years.

The producers of the film have claimed The Apprentice offers a fair portrayal of Trump and asks audiences to judge the film for themselves. Abbasi, who was undeterred by legal threats from Trump's camp, noted that while Trump is known for his litigiousness, his success in court has been mixed. Abbasi even suggested that Trump might find the film entertaining despite its controversial content.

One of the film's major backers, conservative billionaire Dan Snyder, was reportedly convinced the biopic would portray Trump in a positive light. However, after a private screening in February, Snyder was said to be “furious” about the film's portrayal, particularly its depiction of Trump's alleged mafia ties, his use of amphetamines for weight loss and cosmetic surgery.

As the release date draws ever closer, The Apprentice is likely to become a major flashpoint in the already heated 2024 presidential campaign, offering a controversial look at the man who has dominated American politics for nearly a decade.