The Faustian Bargain: A Deep Dive into Trump's Mentor Relationship with Roy Cohn in 'The Apprentice'

France
Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City.
Roy Cohn was a prominent American lawyer who represented Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare era.
The Apprentice premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024.
The film explores Trump's relationship with Roy Cohn and their Faustian bargain.
The Faustian Bargain: A Deep Dive into Trump's Mentor Relationship with Roy Cohn in 'The Apprentice'

Title: A Deep Dive into the Origins of Power: The Apprentice at Cannes

The highly anticipated film, 'The Apprentice,' premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024. Directed by Ali Abbasi and starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump, this biographical drama offers an intriguing look into the formative years of one of the most polarizing figures in American history.

The film delves deep into Trump's relationship with Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), a powerful lawyer who served as his mentor and confidant during the 1980s. The central theme revolves around their Faustian bargain, which is believed to have played a significant role in shaping Trump's business acumen and political ambitions.

One of the most controversial aspects of 'The Apprentice' is its portrayal of an incident involving Trump and his first wife, Ivana (Maria Bakalova). According to reports, the film depicts a scene where Trump rapes Ivana. It is important to note that these allegations were made during their divorce proceedings and later walked back by Ivana herself.

Trump's response during the divorce proceedings was to dismiss his wife's version of events as 'obviously false.' However, this incident is just one piece of a larger puzzle that paints a complex picture of Trump's early life and rise to power.

The film has been met with mixed reactions, with some critics praising its exploration of the American empire and others finding it exploitative. Regardless of personal opinions, 'The Apprentice' is an essential addition to the ongoing discourse surrounding Donald Trump and his impact on American politics.

Background Information:

Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City. He attended the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania before taking over his family's real estate business in 1973.

Roy Cohn was a prominent American lawyer who represented Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare era. He is best known for his aggressive legal tactics and controversial methods, which earned him both admirers and detractors.

The Apprentice premiered at Cannes in competition for the Palme d'Or award. The film has already been sold to various foreign territories but has yet to secure a US distribution deal.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • How accurate are the allegations of Trump raping Ivana in the film?

Sources

69%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Donald Trump Movie ‘The Apprentice’ Angers Billionaire Investor

Variety Tatiana Siegel Monday, 20 May 2024 12:32
  • Unique Points
    • Donald Trump movie 'The Apprentice' premieres at Cannes Film Festival on Monday night.
    • Billionaire investor Dan Snyder, a friend of Trump and donor to his campaigns, is unhappy with the film’s creative direction.
    • A battle has taken place between Snyder-backed company Kinematics and the filmmakers over creative direction.
    • The film covers Trump’s early years, mentorship by Roy Cohn, and marriage to Ivana Trump.
    • Snyder saw a cut of the film in February and was furious with its content.
    • Kinematics lawyers were enlisted to fight release of 'The Apprentice'.
    • Danish, Irish, and Canadian governments also invested in the film.
    • 7 years took place for 'The Apprentice' to make it to the big screen.
    • Film delves into origins of a system and exploration of American dynasty.
  • Accuracy
    • Sebastian Stan stars as young Donald Trump in the film.
    • Billionaire investor Dan Snyder is unhappy with the film’s creative direction.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions Dan Snyder's displeasure with the film and his attempts to stop its release, while omitting any mention of potential issues with the film's portrayal of Ivana Trump or Roy Cohn. The author also uses emotional manipulation by describing the scene in question as 'violent' and 'uncomfortable', implying that it is something negative without providing any context or justification for this characterization.
    • Behind the scenes, a nasty battle has played out between the Snyder-backed company Kinematics and the filmmakers over the creative direction of the film.
    • Despite its title, ‘The Apprentice’ doesn’t chronicle Trump’s years as the star of the hit NBC reality show that catapulted him into the Oval Office.
    • One insider, familiar with the scene that is in the current cut, described it as 'violent' and 'uncomfortable'
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning Dan Snyder's friendship with Donald Trump and his financial support for Trump's campaigns. This implies that the film is biased towards Trump and should be a flattering portrayal, but the author later reveals that Snyder was unhappy with the film's creative direction. This creates a dichotomy between what was expected based on Snyder's past actions and what actually transpired. The author also mentions that Ivana Trump accused Donald Trump of raping her in a 1989 divorce deposition, but later refuted these claims in 2015. This is an example of a contradictory statement, which can be considered a form of informal fallacy.
    • The filmmakers have endured a long haul to the finish line. It took seven years for The Apprentice to make it to the big screen.
    • One insider, familiar with the scene that is in the current cut, described it as violent and uncomfortable and follows a fight between the couple.
    • Despite its title, The Apprentice doesn’t chronicle Trump’s years as the star of the hit NBC reality show that catapulted him into the Oval Office.
    • If he does [attend], a press tsunami would ensue, putting the small indie film directly in the national conversation during an election year in which Trump is back on the ballot.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author mentions Dan Snyder's involvement in the film and his displeasure with it, implying that he expected a flattering portrayal of Trump based on his investment. The author also mentions that Snyder put pressure on the filmmakers to change certain aspects of the film, specifically mentioning a scene where Trump rapes Ivana. This implies a bias towards protecting Trump's image and potentially downplaying or dismissing allegations of misconduct.
    • Dan Snyder, a friend of Trump’s who donated $1.1 million to his inaugural committee and Trump Victory in 2016 and $100,000 to his 2020 presidential campaign, put money into the film via Kinematics because he was under the impression that it was a flattering portrayal of the 45th president.
      • It is unclear if Snyder, who is a fixture at the festival where he socializes with other billionaires on his yacht, plans to attend tonight’s premiere alongside the Kinematics team, who will be on hand.
        • Snyder took issue with multiple aspects of the film and weighed in on what should be changed. In earlier versions of the screenplay, ‘The Apprentice’ featured a scene where Trump rapes Ivana.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        51%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice depicts him as a rapist

        theguardian.com Article URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/13/ pakistan-·coalition-·agrees-to-form-government Xan Brooks Monday, 20 May 2024 17:22
        • Unique Points
          • Donald Trump is depicted as a rapist in the biopic 'The Apprentice', based on an incident with his first wife Ivana in 1989.
          • Ivana Trump described in her divorce deposition that Donald Trump forced her to the floor and pulled out handfuls of her hair during an incident shortly after his scalp-reduction surgery. She initially referred to it as a rape but later walked back on the claim.
          • Donald Trump dismissed Ivana’s version of the incident as ‘obviously false’ during their divorce proceedings.
        • Accuracy
          • Donald Trump is depicted as a rapist in the biopic ‘The Apprentice’, based on an incident with his first wife Ivana in 1989.
        • Deception (0%)
          The article makes editorializing statements and implies facts without providing sources. It states that 'Donald Trump is depicted as a rapist' in the title and body of the article, but does not provide any evidence or quotes from the film itself to support this claim. The author also references Ivana Trump's divorce deposition and her later statement, but does not provide direct quotes or links to these sources. Additionally, the article makes emotional manipulation by implying that Trump is a rapist and using sensational language in the title.
          • The scene, which occurs near the end of The Apprentice, depicts Trump reacting with fury after Ivana disparages his physical appearance. You have a face like a fucking orange.
          • Ivana Trump died in July 2022 after falling down the stairs at her home in Manhattan.
          • Donald Trump is depicted as a rapist who assaulted his first wife, Ivana, in a new biopic
        • Fallacies (80%)
          The author Xan Brooks makes an appeal to authority by mentioning the upcoming Cannes film festival and the fact that the film has already been sold to foreign territories. He also mentions a legal challenge from lawyers connected to Dan Snyder without providing any context or evidence. These statements do not provide logical reasoning or proof for any of the claims made in the article.
          • ][author] The Apprentice is competing for Cannes’ crowning Palme d’Or award. However, it has reportedly yet to land a US distribution deal.[/]
          • [author] The film is also claimed to be facing a legal challenge from lawyers connected to billionaire Trump donor Dan Snyder.[/
        • Bias (0%)
          The author Xan Brooks makes no overtly biased statements in the article. However, the title of the article itself could be considered biased as it implies that The Apprentice depicts Trump as a rapist without providing any context or evidence to support this claim in the body of the article. Therefore, while there may not be any clear examples of bias within the text itself, there is an implicit bias present in the title.
          • Ivana initially described what followed as a rape, but later walked back on the claim.
            • ]The Apprentice depicts Trump as a rapist[
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            97%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Ali Abbasi bring 'The Apprentice' to Cannes

            Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Associated Press Monday, 20 May 2024 20:32
            • Unique Points
              • The film 'The Apprentice' by Ali Abbasi, featuring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump, was presented at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
              • Sebastian Stan plays the role of Donald Trump in 'The Apprentice.'
              • Ali Abbasi's 'The Apprentice' is described as a portrayal of the underbelly of the American empire.
            • Accuracy
              • Donald Trump movie 'The Apprentice' premieres at Cannes Film Festival on Monday night.
              • Sebastian Stan stars as young Donald Trump in the film.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            77%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            ‘The Apprentice,’ about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes

            The Hill News Site: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate-seethe-republicans-call-for-israeli-elections/ JAKE COYLE, Monday, 20 May 2024 17:46
            • Unique Points
              • The film ‘The Apprentice’ premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 20, 2024.
              • Sebastian Stan portrays Donald Trump in the movie.
              • Donald Trump’s relationship with Roy Cohn is depicted as a mentorship and a Faustian bargain in the film.
              • The film contains a scene depicting Trump raping his wife Ivana, based on her divorce deposition statement.
              • Dan Snyder, an investor in the film and former owner of the Washington Commanders, reportedly pressured the filmmakers to edit its portrayal of Trump.
              • Ali Abbasi directed ‘The Apprentice’ and it is labeled as inspired by true events.
              • The film is for sale in Cannes but doesn’t have a release date yet.
              • Strong returns to a New York landscape of money and power in the film following the conclusion of HBO’s ‘Succession’.
              • The film is playing in competition at Cannes, making it eligible for the festival’s top award, the Palme d’Or.
              • Trump was being sued by the federal government for racial discrimination in housing when Cohn aided Trump Organization.
            • Accuracy
              No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
            • Deception (30%)
              The article contains selective reporting by focusing on the controversial aspects of the film 'The Apprentice' without providing a balanced perspective. The author also uses emotional manipulation by describing the scene depicting Trump raping his wife as 'potentially explosive' and 'making The Apprentice a potentially explosive big-screen drama in the midst of the U.S. presidential election'. Additionally, there is sensationalism through phrases like 'scathing portrait of the former president' and 'alleged behind-the-scenes drama surrounding The Apprentice'.
              • The film notably contains a scene depicting Trump raping his wife, Ivana Trump (played by Maria Bakalova). In Ivana Trump’s 1990 divorce deposition, she stated that Trump raped her. Trump denied the allegation and Ivana Trump later said she didn’t mean it literally, but rather that she had felt violated.
              • The film is for sale in Cannes, so it doesn’t yet have a release date. Variety on Monday reported alleged behind-the-scenes drama surrounding The Apprentice. Citing anonymous sources, the trade publication reported that billionaire Dan Snyder, the former owner of the Washington Commanders and an investor in The Apprentice, has pressured the filmmakers to edit the film over its portrayal of Trump.
            • Fallacies (80%)
              The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning that the film is labeled as 'inspired by true events' and quoting Ivana Trump's divorce deposition. However, the author does not provide any context or evidence to support the validity of these claims.
              • ][The Apprentice] is labeled as inspired by true events,[[
              • Ivana Trump stated that Trump raped her in her 1990 divorce deposition.[[
            • Bias (80%)
              The author, Jake Coyle, uses language that depicts Trump in a negative light by describing the film as 'scathing portrait of the former president' and 'potentially explosive big-screen drama'. The article also mentions Trump's hush money trial without providing any context or impartiality. Additionally, there is a scene in the movie where Trump is depicted raping his wife, which could be seen as an attempt to further tarnish his image.
              • The Apprentice, directed by the Iranian Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi, stars Sebastian Stan as Trump. The central relationship of the movie is between Trump and Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the defense attorney who was chief counsel to Joseph McCarthy’s 1950s Senate investigations.
                • The author describes the film as 'scathing portrait of the former president' and 'potentially explosive big-screen drama'.
                  • The film notably contains a scene depicting Trump raping his wife, Ivana Trump (played by Maria Bakalova). In Ivana Trump’s 1990 divorce deposition, she stated that Trump raped her. Trump denied the allegation and Ivana Trump later said she didn’t mean it literally.
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  83%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  The Apprentice is a powerful portrait of Donald Trump’s beginnings — Cannes film review

                  Financial Times Monday, 20 May 2024 20:34
                  • Unique Points
                    • Sebastian Stan plays the role of Donald Trump in 'The Apprentice.'
                    • Jeremy Strong portrays right-wing lawyer Roy Cohn in 'The Apprentice.'
                  • Accuracy
                    • Donald Trump is depicted as a rapist in the biopic ‘The Apprentice’, based on an incident with his first wife Ivana in 1989.
                    • Ivana Trump described in her divorce deposition that Donald Trump forced her to the floor and pulled out handfuls of her hair during an incident shortly after his scalp-reduction surgery. She initially referred to it as a rape but later walked back on the claim.
                    • The film covers Trump’s early years, mentorship by Roy Cohn, and marriage to Ivana Trump.
                  • Deception (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication