The Apprentice: Tracing the Rise of Donald J. Trump

The Apprentice: A Cinematic Exploration of Donald J. Trump’s Early Life

“The Apprentice” is a thought-provoking film that delves into the formative years of Donald J. Trump, culminating with the moment of his birth. In the dramatic final scene, we find Mr. Trump, portrayed by Sebastian Stan, in a pivotal meeting with Tony Schwartz (played by Eoin Duffy), the writer who would collaborate with him on the influential book “The Art of the Deal.” The film effectively illustrates that Mr. Trump was already a prominent figure prior to this collaboration. However, it was the release of this best-selling book in 1987 that catapulted him from a regional real estate mogul to a national pop-culture icon.

The book did more than just increase his visibility; it transformed him into a media phenomenon. Mr. Trump became a frequent subject of comedic skits on “Saturday Night Live,” appeared as himself in various sitcoms and movie cameos, and became a ubiquitous symbol of extravagant wealth in American culture. This newfound celebrity status paved the way for his eventual rise to television stardom. Notably, Mark Burnett, the producer behind the reality-TV show “The Apprentice,” was among those captivated by Trump’s charisma and presence, which ultimately contributed to his successful bid for the presidency.

Yet, the film “The Apprentice” focuses on the intricate journey leading up to these milestones. Directed by Ali Abbasi, it examines how the young Donald Trump was shaped by the influence of two dominant father figures in his life. His biological father, Fred Trump (played by Martin Donovan), instilled in him the belief that the ultimate aspiration for any man is to be a “killer” in the competitive world of business. Conversely, his moral compass was largely influenced by the notorious lawyer, fixer, and former Joseph McCarthy aide, Roy Cohn (played by Jeremy Strong), who imparted a brutal philosophy of survival that revolved around three essential rules: attack, attack, attack; deny, deny, deny; and never admit defeat.

Moreover, the film sheds light on the transformation of a local real estate developer’s son into the larger-than-life media figure we recognize today. Cohn, whose tumultuous life as a closeted gay man was poignantly depicted in Tony Kushner’s acclaimed play “Angels in America,” maintained a vibrant social life and firmly believed in the power of information and social capital. He emphasized the importance of networking and visibility in the public eye.

In a particularly memorable scene, Cohn dispenses advice that transcends mere business acumen, urging his young protégé with a directive of great significance: “Keep your name in the papers.” At this stage, the young Trump, not yet the voracious media presence we know him as today, requires guidance. During a crucial phone call for an early newspaper profile, Cohn adeptly coaches him from the passenger seat of his car, correcting and guiding him with an almost puppeteering finesse, illustrating the lengths to which Cohn would go to mold Trump’s public persona.

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