Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
This article was published on October 21, 2024.
For a while, it seemed like American moviegoers might not get to seeThe Apprentice.
Trump apparently concluded that he has nothing to fear from the film.
Im not convinced such a key exists, but if it does,The Apprenticehasnt discovered it.
We begin in the early 70s, a humiliating but formative period for the former president.
Hes collecting rent for his despicable father, Fred, whos facinga federal lawsuitover his racially discriminatory housing practices.
He needs Freds approval for a risky development in Manhattan, and Fred wont give it.
Enter a stroke of dubious luck.
But Trump isnt quite so naive.
Cohn makes the federal lawsuit disappear, which is all Trump really wants.
The media provided Trump and, by extension, Cohn with marks they could easily manipulate.
We arent quite used to seeing Trump as anyones student, either.
But Strong as Cohn is compelling to watch, even to people who knew Trumps old friend well.
(I guess hed know.)
The film is not a documentary; even so, it may help put the record straight.
Trump slips the campaign button into his desk, and the words linger.
Trump, the film argues, has rewritten history by dismissing Cohns influence on him.
I think Ive had a natural instinct for that.
We know that Trump is racist.
We know his greed, his lies, his authoritarianism and its all fake news to half the country.
Trump hasnt won re-election, but the race is so tight that he very well could.
As far as MAGA is concerned,The Apprenticewill slide off Trump the wayE.
Jean Carrolls storydid, the way theAccess Hollywoodtapedid, the way everything still does.
Trump didnt fearThe Apprenticebecause he knew it didnt matter.
Thats the filmmakers problem, but its ours too.
