Sebastian Stan has taken a direct shot at former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him a "narcissist" and speculating that Trump has likely watched the reality show The Apprentice numerous times. Stan's candid remarks came during an interview with Vanity Fair, where he discussed his portrayal of Trump in the film The Apprentice, which depicts the business mogul's rise to fame and power.
“I would put money down he’s seen it 100 f****ng times, of course, because he’s a narcissist,” Stan said, reflecting on Trump's personality and his potential fondness for watching his own image on screen. The actor also suggested that there are aspects of his portrayal that Trump might enjoy, particularly the way he is depicted. "How he looked. He loses his humanity. I guess that’s essentially what happens,” Stan added, pointing out how his performance stripped Trump of his human qualities.
As an actor, Stan explained that his goal was to explore the more human side of his characters, even in portrayals of controversial figures like Trump. He noted that, in acting, "all you’re trying to do is just look at these very human things and identify with them."
Despite his strong critique of Trump, Stan didn’t express significant concern about potential backlash. "That doesn’t mean he wants Trump to put him at the top of his enemies list," he said. "I don’t know, maybe if I win the Oscar, which is like 0.0000 percent," he humorously added, acknowledging the slim chance of such a feat but suggesting that an Oscar might change his relationship with Trump.
In The Apprentice, Stan portrays Trump, and his performance has garnered significant attention. The film also stars Jeremy Strong, who plays Roy Cohn, Trump’s influential lawyer and mentor. Maria Baklava portrays Ivanka Trump, and Donald’s first wife, Ivana Trump, is also featured in the movie. Both Stan and Strong have received Oscar nominations for their respective performances in the film, solidifying their place in the awards conversation.
Stan’s remarks not only shed light on his approach to playing such a complex figure but also contribute to the ongoing cultural conversation about the portrayal of controversial public figures in film and media.
