We thought the most controversial thing about The Apprentice, the Donald Trump biopic, not the reality show, was its subject matter. But, its director has managed to upstage his own film in spectacular fashion. Ali Abbasi, the man behind the potentially Oscar-winning film is now making headlines for something that feels eerily familiar to those who have followed Trump’s storied past.
Yes, folks, The Apprentice might have delved deep into Trump’s past scandals, but now its director is the one in hot water. Reports have emerged that Abbasi allegedly got a little too handsy at CAA’s Golden Globes afterparty, leading to a PR nightmare, severed professional ties, and an awkward silence louder than a Trump rally. But before we get into that mess, let’s rewind and remind ourselves why The Apprentice was making waves in the first place.
The President, Donald Trump’s dark past shown in The Apprentice
You don’t make a movie about Donald Trump’s rise without stepping onto a minefield. The Apprentice boldly waded into the murky waters of Trump’s past, dragging out skeletons that the former president would rather keep locked up. And no, we’re not talking about his failed steaks, fraudulent university, or perplexing obsession with gold-plated everything.
The film touches on Trump’s alleged r*pe of his first wife, Ivana Trump, an accusation she later retracted but which was once part of their messy divorce battle. If that weren’t enough, it also brings back his infamous Access Hollywood moment, where he bragged about grabbing women by a certain body part with the ease of a man reaching for a Diet Coke. The filmmakers clearly weren’t interested in sugarcoating anything.
And then there’s Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong, Trump’s notorious mentor, the lawyer who seemingly turned dirty tricks into an art form. The film starring Sebastian Stan paints a picture of Trump’s early days that make The Wolf of Wall Street look like Sesame Street. But while Trump has managed to dodge real consequences, it seems his biopic’s director is now getting a taste of the scandals he so eagerly exposed.
Director Ali Abbasi faces his own allegations
Now, here’s where things take an ironic turn. Ali Abbasi, the man who dared to put Donald Trump’s alleged crimes on the big screen, is now facing accusations that wouldn’t look out of place in his own film. According to Deadline’s sources, Abbasi was allegedly very inappropriate with an A-list actor at the Golden Globes afterparty. The details? Well, let’s just say aggressively groped is not the kind of press you want to be getting as a director.
The fallout was swift. His U.S. reps at CAA and Entertainment 360? Gone. His PR team at The Lede Company? Also out. His legal team at Granderson Des Rochers? No longer handling his business.
While the exact nature of these professional splits remains murky, one thing is clear, Abbasi is now walking the industry tightrope without a safety net. While he hasn’t directly addressed the allegations, he told Deadline,
I can confirm that I’ve made the decision to move in a new direction with my career. I’m grateful for the work CAA and Entertainment 360 have done, particularly their commitment to The Apprentice, which remains a project I’m incredibly proud of. I look forward to announcing my next steps at the appropriate time.
And just like that, the man who sought to expose Trump’s dirty laundry is now standing in front of his own. For a film that sought to highlight the hypocrisy of power, this whole ordeal feels almost too on the nose. The only real winner here? Donald Trump, who must be laughing his “Make America Great Again” hat off as Hollywood once again proves that art really does imitate life.
The Apprentice can be streamed on Apple TV+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
