THE APPRENTICE

*CUT TO THE CHASE*

NOTE: This spoiler was submitted by Jeremy

The film opens with a video of Richard Nixon’s infamous “I am not a crook” speech, where he insisted that he would welcome any investigation into his wrongdoings, and asserting that any of his success was entirely well-earned.

1973 – Young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) is at a fancy New York City restaurant with a beautiful date. He points out various other rich people in their company before he spots cutthroat lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), noted for prosecuting the Rosenbergs (a couple who were caught as Soviet spies). Trump is impressed by Cohn’s work, while Cohn introduces Trump to his friends and colleagues after learning he is the son of real-estate magnate Fred Trump (Martin Donovan).

Trump is seen struggling as a door-to-door salesman. He later has dinner with Fred, his mother Mary Anne (Catherine McNally), and brother Fred Jr/Freddie (Charlie Carrick). Fred is under investigation because of alleged discrimination against black tenants by segregating their housing. Freddie is also seen as a screw-up for his drug and alcohol usage, but Trump cares for his brother.

Cohn takes on the case against Fred per Trump’s request. He introduces Trump to his three rules for success. The first rule is “attack, attack, attack”. He begins by threatening the law firm pursuing the case, speaking to a secretary harshly before waiting for her boss to call. The second is “never admit to any wrongdoing”. When the boss calls, Cohn denies threatening her and hangs up before the conversation goes further. The third rule is “never admit defeat”. Cohn gets photos of the lead prosecutor with another man, threatening to expose his homosexuality to have him disbarred. Cohn later calls Trump to let him know that the suit has been dropped, despite plenty of evidence against Fred.

While out for dinner at his club, Trump encounters Czech model Ivana Zelnickova (Maria Bakalova) and her friends trying to get it but are being denied entry. Although she initially rejects Trump’s offer, Ivana and her friends have dinner after he tells the bouncer that they are on Cohn’s list, which Trump pays for. He then offers her and her friends a ride home.

Trump goes to a lavish party thrown by Cohn as a result of their victory. Among the many guests he meets include Andy Warhol (Bruce Beaton). He stumbles upon a gay orgy, where Cohn himself is also participating. Trump shuts the door in quiet shock.

Trump starts to make plans to boost his profile and make a bigger name for himself. He starts by trying to turn the Commodore Hotel into a Hyatt. This causes some tensions between Trump and Fred, since he never told his father about his business intentions. After talking to investors, Trump goes to Cohn for help with waiving property taxes on the Hyatt and getting a $160 million tax abatement for the plan. Cohn is reluctant at first but brings Trump and Fred to court, where Cohn succeeds in getting the job done by using blackmail tapes of elected officials, while advocates for the poor begin to protest.

Following this victory, Trump starts to court Ivana and even follows her on a trip to Aspen. They begin to fall for each other, and Trump proposes to Ivana, but after talking about it with Cohn, the lawyer suggests trying to make her sign a prenup. Ivana is outraged by the notion, but Trump chases after her and says to forget the prenup because he wants to marry her regardless. They end up going ahead with the wedding.

Going into the 80’s (specifically the Reagan era), Trump and Ivana’s marriage starts to show cracks after the birth of their first child, Donald Jr. Ivana has also begun working as an interior designer. Trump is visited by Freddie, who is looking worse for wear due to his alcoholism. Freddie comes to his brother for help but is sent away. Trump later goes for an interview, where he talks about how America needs to be stronger so foreign nations will not disrespect the country. When asked what he would do if he were to suddenly lose his fortune, he “jokes” that he might someday run for president.

Trump’s greed starts to grow, and he looks down upon lower classes and unions. While at a function with Cohn, the lawyer tries to rein in Trump’s hedonism, but he compares Cohn to his own father. Moments later, Trump receives a phone call, where he learns that Freddie has died. After the funeral, Trump weeps in bed next to Ivana.

Trump and Cohn attend a party at the Hyatt, which is now Trump Tower. Cohn tells Trump that his lover Russell is sick and needs a place to stay, asking for a spot there at the Hyatt, and Trump says he will help. Trump also tells Cohn that he has lost all attraction to Ivana and feels nothing when he looks at her, even though he made her get breast implants. When they are alone at their hotel later, Trump relays these feelings back to Ivana. When she tries to leave him, he rapes her.

Trump runs into problems on his next hotel development project since he is behind on payments and is being threatened with legal action. He is later called in to approve of a slogan for the Reagan campaign – “Let’s Make America Great Again”.

Cohn confronts Trump outside his building after learning that he kicked Russell out of the Hyatt, which Trump claims is because of the other tenants complaining since Russell has AIDS. Cohn hits Trump and curses him out for the betrayal. Trump later starts to make plans to get liposuction and scalp-reduction surgeries. He also learns that Cohn is terminally ill with AIDS, but he publicly discloses it as a form of cancer and denies being a homosexual.

Trump later calls an ailing Cohn to sort of reconcile. He flies Cohn out to Florida to celebrate his birthday, and Trump gifts him cuff links that he claims have diamonds in them. When Cohn brings them up to Ivana, she apologetically tells him that they are cheap jewels. Trump then stands to toast and honor Cohn. After Cohn delivers a brief speech, a cake is brought out, and Cohn is brought to tears before being wheeled out. He later passes away.

After his surgeries are done, Trump gets back to work. He meets with a ghost writer for his book, “The Art of the Deal”, where he repeats Cohn’s three rules for success. Trump then talks about how his success, other winners, and muses about his potential political aspirations while having a vision of the New York skyline.

The film is a look at the relationship between a young Donald Trump, and his lawyer/mentor Roy Cohn. Trump adopted Cohn's ruthless personality and tips for success, effectively creating the successful hotel business he would become known for. During this time, Trump also meets and marries Ivana Zelnickova, a Czech model turned interior designer. Trump also has a close relationship with his brother Fred Jr, who passes away due to his addictions.

As Trump's success grows, so does his ego. He begins to openly resent Ivana and even rapes her at one point. He also turns on Cohn, a closeted homosexual, after his lover Russell is diagnosed with AIDS, and Trump evicts him from his Trump Tower. Trump somewhat reconciles with Cohn following the latter's own terminal diagnosis, inviting him to Florida to celebrate his birthday, but giving Cohn a gift with cheap jewels despite telling him they were diamonds. Cohn later dies.

Trump continues to build his name and starts to get a ghost writer for his book, "The Art of the Deal", while musing about his future successes, including a potential run for the presidency.