Lawyers representing former US President Donald Trump have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the producers of the film The Apprentice, seeking to prevent its sale and release in the United States. The film, which premiered at the Cannes film festival, depicts a fictionalized account of Trump allegedly raping his first wife.

After the world premiere of Ali Abbasi's film, audiences at Cannes were reportedly shocked by scenes portraying Trump undergoing liposuction, scalp-reduction surgery, and a controversial scene where he pushes his first wife, Ivana, to the ground and rapes her. The film's portrayal of the rape scene is inspired by Ivana's previous allegations made during their 1990 divorce proceedings.

In response to the cease-and-desist letter, the film's producers defended their work, stating that it is a "fair and balanced portrait of the former president" and expressing their desire for viewers to make their own judgments after watching it. Meanwhile, Dan Snyder, former owner of the NFL's Washington Commanders and a Trump supporter who invested in the film, is also preparing his own cease-and-desist letter to block a US distribution deal. Snyder had reportedly anticipated a more positive portrayal of Trump and was infuriated after viewing a rough cut of the film.

The Trump campaign has not yet provided any comments or response regarding the cease-and-desist letter. However, the film's director, Ali Abbasi, seemed unfazed by the legal threat, suggesting that Trump's team should watch the movie before taking legal action and highlighting that success rates are often overlooked when discussing the former president's propensity for lawsuits.

The controversy surrounding The Apprentice has ignited a debate about the limits of creative expression and the depiction of real figures in fictionalized contexts. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the film will ultimately be released in the United States or face further challenges from Trump and his supporters.

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