Learn more about Donald Trump’s rise to success in the biopic “The Apprentice” as it highlights his mentorship under Roy Cohn and the importance of tax abatements in his career.
“The Apprentice,” a film chronicling the early days of Donald Trump in Manhattan real estate, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and recently hit American theaters. Despite a lukewarm reception and criticism from Trump himself, the movie delves into Trump’s transition from his father’s shadow to embracing the influence of Roy Cohn, a controversial lawyer who shaped Trump’s style and tactics.
The film highlights Trump’s clash with Mayor Ed Koch over a tax break for Trump Tower, a luxurious project meant to replace the iconic Bonwit Teller store on Fifth Avenue. Koch, facing economic challenges in New York City, refused to grant the tax break, leading to a legal battle that Trump eventually won. This conflict set the stage for Trump’s future confrontational approach in public discourse.
During the Bloomberg administration, New York City saw increased concessions to the real estate industry, a trend that “The Apprentice” suggests started much earlier with demands from the Trump organization playing a significant role in shaping the city’s development trajectory.
Source: The NY Times
