Actor Sebastian Stan voiced strong concerns about the current state of the United States during a press conference on Monday, May 18, for his new film Fjord. The 43-year-old performer, who portrayed President Donald Trump in the 2024 biopic The Apprentice, described the political climate as troubling. "I think we’re in a really, really bad place. I really do," Stan told reporters.
Stan reflected on the challenges faced by the production of The Apprentice, which focused on Trump’s early career in New York real estate and his relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn. He noted that the team encountered significant obstacles, including uncertainty about the film’s festival screening just three days before its planned debut. "Three days before the festival, [we were] unsure if the movie was going to play the festival," Stan said, according to Variety. He added that the experience mirrored broader issues like media consolidation, censorship, and ongoing legal threats.
The comments come two years after the film’s release and amid Trump’s continued public criticism of the project. In October 2024, Trump posted on Truth Social calling the movie "a FAKE and CLASSLESS Movie" and a "cheap, defamatory and politically disgusting hatchet job." Trump argued that the timing of the release, just before the 2024 presidential election, was intended to damage his campaign and the Make America Great Again movement.
Stan acknowledged that Trump had previously targeted late-night hosts who commented on the film, including Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. Trump has called for Kimmel’s firing over controversial jokes and celebrated the cancellation of The Late Show, stating that Colbert’s "talent was even less than his ratings." Stan said the production team dealt with similar pressures before appearances on those programs.
Despite the past tensions, Stan has moved forward with new work. At the premiere of Fjord, the film received a 10-minute standing ovation. The drama follows an immigrant Romanian family in Norway facing a judicial investigation and local scrutiny. Stan discussed the responsibilities of storytelling in an interview with Deadline, saying, "There’s always this fine line as an actor of, what is my responsibility and is there a duty to uphold this mirror to the world as we see it?"
He continued, "All we can do is through storytelling, do our part to represent in any way we can, as truthfully as we can, the complexities that we are all dealing with." The project marks Stan’s latest effort to explore social and political themes through character-driven narratives.
The Apprentice drew attention for its depiction of Trump’s rise, and the production faced reported legal threats from the president prior to its release. Director Ali Abbasi previously responded to those threats, though specific details of any lawsuits remain limited. Stan indicated that the film may gain lasting relevance because of the real-world events surrounding its distribution.
Trump has maintained that the movie misrepresented his story and lacked proper authorization to use the title The Apprentice. Supporters of the president have echoed these criticisms, viewing the film as an attempt to influence public opinion during an election cycle. Stan’s recent remarks suggest he sees parallels between the film’s challenges and ongoing national debates over media and free expression.
Industry observers note that actors who take on politically charged roles often face public backlash or praise depending on audience perspectives. Stan has largely avoided direct political commentary in the past, focusing instead on his performances in projects like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His comments at the Fjord event represent one of his more explicit statements on current events.
The press conference highlighted how personal experiences with controversy can shape an actor’s view of broader societal issues. Stan emphasized that the production encountered threats and legal maneuvers that ultimately did not prevent the film from reaching audiences. He expressed hope that the project would endure as a record of those tensions.
Fjord’s positive reception at its premiere offers Stan a fresh platform to discuss themes of justice and family under pressure. The story of the Romanian immigrant family in Norway draws on real-world questions about immigration and legal systems, topics that resonate with Stan’s own background as a Romanian-born actor raised in the United States.
As Stan promotes Fjord, questions remain about whether The Apprentice will see renewed interest or further legal developments. Officials close to the production have not confirmed any active lawsuits at this time. The actor appears focused on using his platform to highlight storytelling as a means of reflecting societal complexities.
Stan’s remarks underscore the intersection of entertainment and politics that has defined much of the past decade. Whether his comments will prompt additional responses from Trump or his allies is unclear. For now, the performer continues to navigate the balance between his roles on screen and his observations off it.