In a new interview on the MeidasTouch Network, host Ben Meiselas sat down with The Apprentice writer Gabe Sherman to discuss the film that Donald Trump tried—and failed—to block. Set to be released on October 11th, The Apprentice explores Trump’s relationship with his mentor, infamous lawyer Roy Cohn, and how it shaped the former president’s scorched-earth political tactics.
Trump has threatened to sue the filmmakers in typical fashion, but Sherman brushed off the threats. “Donald Trump threatens to sue the mailman,” Sherman quipped. “This is a classic playbook he learned from Cohn.”
The film, which has been seven years in the making, stars Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn and Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump. Sherman noted that Stan’s portrayal isn’t a caricature but a deeply nuanced performance. “He completely disappears into the role,” Sherman said. “It’s so real and subtle, and I hope it peels back the curtain on who Trump really is.”
Sherman also emphasized the film’s relevance today, particularly in light of Trump’s ongoing influence within the Republican Party. “I never thought this movie would be coming out in an election season,” he said, highlighting how the film sheds light on the roots of Trump’s current political behavior. The timing, Sherman said, was coincidental but couldn’t be more appropriate, as the film lands at a moment when Trump remains at the forefront of American politics.
During the interview, Meiselas played a clip of Trump’s recent speech in Erie, Pennsylvania, where Trump bizarrely compared migrants to Hollywood actors. Trump has long exhibited a “love-hate relationship” with celebrities, according to Sherman. “He craves their approval, but he can’t get it because of his politics,” he said, noting that Trump’s inability to win over Hollywood only fuels his sense of victimhood.
Sherman explained that The Apprentice isn't just an exposé on Trump—it’s an insightful look at how his tactics were born out of the mentorship he received from Cohn. “It’s a wild ride, but it’s also very illuminating,” Sherman said, adding that viewers will see the world differently after watching the film. He hopes the film can reveal deeper truths about Trump in a way traditional media hasn’t been able to.
With its release just around the corner, The Apprentice is poised to provide a unique perspective on Trump’s rise to power and the man behind his most ruthless strategies. Despite Trump’s efforts to suppress the film, the truth will hit theaters on October 11th.
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Exclusive: 'The Apprentice' Writer Talks New Film and Trump’s Failed Attempts to Block It