A new movie about former US President Donald Trump, *The Apprentice*, is causing quite a stir, as major American TV networks have refused to air ads for the film during key political debate nights.
According to Briarcliff Entertainment, the film’s distributor, both ABC and CBS rejected a 15-second advertisement for the movie, citing concerns about its controversial content.
The film *The Apprentice* portrays Donald Trump’s rise to power, with actor Sebastian Stan playing a young Trump and Jeremy Strong from *Succession* playing his mentor, Roy Cohn. The movie includes dramatic and contentious scenes, including one depicting Trump’s alleged sexual assault of his ex-wife, Ivana Trump, which Trump’s team has strongly denied.
CBS, which is set to host the debate between Tim Walz and J.D. Vance, stated they were uncomfortable promoting the film during the debate or national news but would consider airing the ad at other times.
Similarly, ABC, which hosted a recent presidential debate, rejected the ad, explaining they wanted to avoid ads with themes related to the debate broadcast.
Briarcliff Entertainment confirmed to TMZ that despite Trump’s efforts to block the release of the film earlier this year, *The Apprentice* will premiere in theaters across the US on October 11.
The movie has generated widespread attention for its portrayal of Trump’s life, particularly his early years in business and politics. One of the most talked-about scenes includes Trump’s mentor, Roy Cohn, declaring, “If you’re indicted, you’re invited.”
With the ad banned during the high-profile debate nights, the film continues to spark debates of its own, adding more fuel to the ongoing discussions about Trump and his legacy in American politics.
