How accurate is The Apprentice? Fact-checking all important details of the movie

The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi, looks at Donald Trump’s early adult life, especially his well-known relationship with the famous lawyer Roy Cohn. This movie is a biographical drama with Sebastian Stan playing Trump and Jeremy Strong portraying Cohn. It shows how they worked together, even though their partnership was often criticized.

Cohn, who was known for his tough methods, helped Trump with important lawsuits and business deals in the 1970s and 1980s, including real estate projects and legal fights that influenced Trump’s career. Abbasi's depiction of this situation brings up tough questions about what is true and what is exaggerated, focusing on a mix of confirmed historical facts and speculated or claimed events.

Although The Apprentice mainly focuses on real-life events, it mixes facts with fiction, creating dramatic scenes that have caused debate, especially since it came out just before the 2024 election.

Abbasi says the movie is thoroughly checked for accuracy. Still, Trump's team calls it exaggerated and wrong, especially when it comes to portraying things like his rumored plastic surgery and personal life struggles.

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Fact-checking some key moments from The Apprentice

Did Roy Cohn blackmail the Government?

False: The movie shows Cohn threatening government officials in a lawsuit against Trump. However, this portrayal is fictional. In reality, Cohn's tactics involved aggressive legal maneuvers instead of blackmail, leading to a settlement with no admission of wrongdoing.

Did Trump take Amphetamines?

Unclear: The Apprentice shows Trump taking "diet pills," which a doctor says are amphetamines. Some people think Trump used these pills to manage his weight and energy levels, but he has denied this. Speculation continues, particularly regarding his sleep patterns and high energy levels.

Did Trump abandon Roy Cohn when he contracted HIV?

Mostly true: The movie shows Trump avoiding Cohn after he got HIV, reflecting the stigma surrounding the disease at the time. Although Trump hosted Cohn for a final dinner at Mar-a-Lago, many believe Cohn felt abandoned in his last days, a sentiment Trump has acknowledged in jest.

Did Trump undergo liposuction and a hair transplant?

Accounts have varied: The Apprentice suggests that Trump had cosmetic surgeries, including liposuction and a hair transplant. His divorce from Ivana hinted at these surgeries, but Trump denies them. Reports indicate he had a volatile reaction to the alleged failed procedures.

Did Donald Trump s*xually assault Ivana?

Accounts have varied: Ivana Trump mentioned an incident during their marriage that she called a violation, which led to claims of r*pe in a deposition. She later said her statement was not meant to be taken literally; hence, the narrative surrounding this incident remains complex and contested.

Was Donald Trump's racial discrimination lawsuit real?

True: The Department of Justice sued Trump and his father, accusing them of racial discrimination in their housing practices. This legal battle forms a significant part of Trump's early business history and involved tough legal strategies, including advice from Roy Cohn.

Did Donald Trump receive tax breaks from New York City?

True: Trump received several tax advantages and financial incentives throughout his business life, especially for real estate projects in New York City. These benefits were part of the larger financial plans used by the Trump Organization, which often attracted scrutiny and criticism.

Did Donald Trump struggle through a financial crisis in the 1980s?

True: Trump faced serious financial problems in the 1980s, with large losses and bankruptcy. The Apprentice looks at these challenges, showing how risky his business activities were during that time.

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The Apprentice is currently limited to watch theatrically in the United States starting October 11, 2024.