"Apprentice" Oscar Nominations Shine Spotlight on Trump Movie He Can't Stand

The 97th Academy Awards nominations have brought a spotlight to a controversial film that Donald Trump has been trying to block: "The Apprentice." The movie, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, has received two Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Sebastian Stan's portrayal of a young Donald Trump and Best Supporting Actor for Jeremy Strong's performance as Trump's mentor, Roy Cohn.

"The Apprentice" has faced an uphill battle since its inception. Trump's attorneys filed a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers and threatened to sue over future marketing or distribution of the movie. In September 2024, the film's producer, Kinematics, sold its stake in the film, with reports suggesting that Trump's friend and former Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder objected to a scene in the film in which Trump rapes then-wife Ivana.

Despite these challenges, "The Apprentice" has secured two Academy Award nominations, which could potentially give the film a significant publicity boost. The nominations were given to Sebastian Stan, who played Trump, and Jeremy Strong, who took on the role of Trump's former attorney and mentor Roy Cohn.

The contentious Donald Trump biopic "The Apprentice," which faced fierce opposition from the former president, has secured two Academy Award nominations. The nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars could potentially give the film a significant publicity boost. The awards show, scheduled for March 2, could provide a platform for the film to reach a wider audience.

The film, which shares the title with Trump's former NBC reality TV series, follows Trump's career as a New York City businessman in the 1970s and 1980s and his relationship with attorney Roy Cohn. Trump lashed out on the movie in October 2024 after the movie's theatrical premiere, calling the people behind it "human scum" and threatening to sue over future marketing or distribution of the movie.

The Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2, could potentially give the film a significant publicity boost. The awards show still commands a substantial audience, with last year's ceremony drawing close to 20 million viewers in the U.S. alone. The nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars could provide a platform for the film to reach a wider audience.

The nomination of "The Apprentice" for two major Academy Awards is a significant development, given the film's controversial background and initial struggles. The film faced numerous challenges, from finding a distributor to dealing with political pressures. Despite these hurdles, the film's recognition by the Academy signifies a potential shift in Hollywood's approach to politically sensitive content. This could pave the way for more films that tackle contentious subjects, potentially altering the landscape of the film industry.

In conclusion, the Oscar nominations for "The Apprentice" have brought a spotlight to the controversial film that Donald Trump has been trying to block. The nominations could potentially give the film a significant publicity boost and provide a platform for the film to reach a wider audience. The nomination of "The Apprentice" for two major Academy Awards is a significant development, given the film's controversial background and initial struggles. This could pave the way for more films that tackle contentious subjects, potentially altering the landscape of the film industry.