On the Media
‘The Apprentice’: Donald Trump, Roy Cohn, and the Pursuit of Power
Oct 16, 2024
Gabriel Sherman, screenwriter and executive producer of "The Apprentice," dives into the tumultuous relationship between Donald Trump and his mentor, Roy Cohn. The conversation reveals how Cohn’s ruthless tactics shaped Trump’s political strategies and worldview. Sherman highlights the challenges faced in bringing the film to theaters, including financing woes and legal threats from Trump’s team. The portrayal of these controversial figures raises questions about morality and the pursuit of power, reflecting on the film's broader societal implications.
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Quick takeaways
- The film 'The Apprentice' illustrates how Donald Trump's mentorship by Roy Cohn equipped him with manipulative strategies for political power and media portrayal.
- Through dramatization, the film highlights the systemic factors that allowed Trump's rise, showcasing the interplay between personal ambition and societal dynamics.
Deep dives
The Influence of Roy Cohn
The relationship between Donald Trump and Roy Cohn is central to understanding Trump's rise in politics. Cohn, a notorious attorney known for his ruthless tactics, acted as a mentor to Trump during his formative years in the 1970s. He taught Trump key strategies for wielding power, manipulating the media, and crafting a narrative that disregarded objective truth. This mentorship shaped Trump into a figure who operates in the gray areas of legitimacy and criminality, fundamentally affecting his political behavior and business dealings in the years to come.
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