Sebastian Stan Explains His Motivation to Portray Donald Trump in The Apprentice

Sebastian Stan explained his motivation for portraying Donald Trump in the upcoming biopic, The Apprentice.

Stan’s choice to play this controversial figure involved considerable reflection. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on November 4, he shared his evolving perspective on Trump. Initially, he viewed Trump with skepticism. However, his impression shifted into a broader inquiry about a mindset surrounding the American dream.

"What began with my dismissive, judgmental attitude evolved into something deeper," Stan mentioned. "This project addresses not only Trump but also examines what the American dream truly represents."

His own journey as an immigrant shaped his interest in this theme. Stan moved to the U.S. at age 12 and recalled a pivotal moment. He said his mother once pointed to the Twin Towers and expressed, "This is the promised land... the land of opportunity. This is where you can become someone. I sacrificed my life for you to get here."

His mother’s words left a profound impact on him. "I have always adored this idea," he said. "I embody the American dream. I've been fortunate."

Stan's ability to portray public figures isn't new. He previously transformed physically to play Tommy Lee in Pam & Tommy, the 2022 series featuring the Mötley Crüe drummer. This role involved significant changes, including tattoos, piercings, and hair dye.

"To prepare, I aimed for 20,000 steps daily and fasted for 16 to 18 hours," he noted in a conversation with Entertainment Weekly. "That preparation changed my routine significantly. It was all worth it, though."

Before playing Lee, Stan took on the role of Jeff Gillooly in the 2018 film I, Tonya. He's spoken about the surprises of that narrative. "It was an insane story," he said to Vanity Fair. "I had never portrayed a real person before, and it was daunting."