The personality of former US President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, one of the most controversial figures in the modern era, has inspired many cinematic, television and documentary works that sought to explore different aspects of his life and career.
From analytical documentaries to dramas, Trump’s impact on American politics and the world has been the focus of many filmmakers and critics alike. These works are attempts to understand Trump’s personality and broad influence, examining his rise from the world of real estate and media to the top of global politics. Critics’ opinions vary regarding these works, ranging between supporters of the critical style in some films and opponents of exaggerations in their depiction. Below is a collection of the most prominent works that dealt with the life story of Donald Trump.
1. Trump: The American Dream (2017)
The documentary “Trump: The American Dream” takes viewers through the history of Trump’s life from childhood to the presidency, and reviews the details of his successes and failures in the world of real estate and business, then his transition to the world of media and politics.
The documentary was appreciated by some critics for its ability to shed light on Trump’s upbringing and the challenges he faced as a businessman, but some critics felt that the documentary was not critical enough about controversial aspects of his life, such as his legal issues. While others saw that the documentary presented a fairly balanced picture, highlighting how Trump was able to create a strong public image in American society.
2. Trump…an American dream (2018)
The documentary “Trump: An American Dream”, produced by Britain, explores the depths of Trump’s life through interviews with people who dealt with him closely, and relies on multiple points of view to show his rise and influence.
Critics have praised this documentary because it draws on diverse perspectives, including former friends and rivals, providing a comprehensive picture of his personality. Critics also praised his ability to reveal the internal and external conflict that Trump experienced, from his successes in the real estate field to his political ambitions. However, some critics considered that the film lacked depth in analyzing Trump’s political influence.
3. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2018)
The film “Fahrenheit 11/9” (Fahrenheit 11/9) is directed by the famous critic and director Michael Moore, and provides a critical vision of the Trump era and the reasons for his election victory. The film reviews social and political issues that helped lead to Trump’s rise, and directs a scathing criticism of the American media and political institutions.
The film received wide praise from liberal critics for its tough approach and sharp criticism of the Trump era, with many seeing that Moore excelled in revealing the factors that contributed to Trump’s rise to the presidency. But some conservative critics considered the film to have a clear political bias and use emotions more than objective facts. However, Michael Moore has been praised for his ability to raise important issues in his provocative and direct style.
4. Comey Rule (2020)
The drama series “The Comey Rule” is based on the memoirs of James Comey, the former director of the FBI, and shows his confrontations with Trump over sensitive issues, such as Russian interference in the elections. It sheds light on Trump’s personality and how he deals with national security institutions.
The series was met with mixed reviews, as some critics praised the performances of the actors, especially Jeff Daniels in the role of James Comey, and saw that the series provided a poignant account of the difficult situations that Comey faced.
However, some critics saw that the series exaggerated the portrayal of Trump’s character as a direct threat to democracy, while other critics were more optimistic about its ability to highlight the internal battle between power and institutions.
5. “Our New President” (2018)
“Our New President” is a unique Russian documentary that reviews how the Russian media dealt with Trump’s personality during his election campaign and after he won the presidency. The film relies on Russian media footage and satirical statements, giving a glimpse into the political propaganda that promoted the idea of a “new president.”
Critics described the film as innovative and interesting due to its unique satirical style, and saw it as an unconventional depiction of the political scene between Russia and America. Many critics also praised how the film uses Russian media to show the media’s influence on audiences. On the other hand, some critics found that the film might be confusing to some due to its reliance on the unconventional method of presenting political facts.
6. “The Apprentice” (2004-2017)
“The Apprentice” is a reality program that was not a documentary or a cinematic work, but it presented Trump’s character to the public in the form of a strong and defiant businessman who leads the program’s participants towards completing projects in the field of business. The program contributed to building Trump’s reputation and increasing his popularity.
Critics considered that the program succeeded in portraying Trump as a tough business figure, which gave him special appeal. However, after his election as president, critics came back to view this program as an example of promoting an idealized image of a businessman who only showed his strong side on the program. Some critical analyzes believed that the program helped build his popularity, which he later benefited from in the presidential elections.
7. The Apprentice (2024)
film “trainee” Directed by Iranian Ali Abbasi and written by journalist Gabriel Sherman, it sparked much criticism, with Donald Trump even describing it as a “disgusting and hateful political act.”
The movie “The Apprentice” includes a large number of scenes depicting Trump taking amphetamine pills, undergoing liposuction, and undergoing surgery to remove his baldness.
Owenley Berman, Variety’s chief critic, praised Stan’s performance, but said the standard of work declined after a strong start. “The first half of the film is a bit of a slam dunk, especially its treatment of how Trump might evolve, which many of us have imagined for a long time, and it offers a compelling and interesting vision,” he wrote.
These cinematic and documentary works reflect multiple aspects of Trump’s personality and his political and social influence, and embody the differing opinions of critics about this controversial character.
