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Sebastian Stan certainly stands out among celebrities known for their outspoken and often unfiltered opinions on various matters. The actor, known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts on former U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent interview. The topic arose when Stan was asked whether Trump had watched the movie The Apprentice, a film released in October 2024, just a month before the U.S. presidential elections.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, when The Apprentice came out, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to publicly criticize the film. He dismissed it as a “cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job.” Trump also went on to describe the people involved in the project as “HUMAN SCUM” and lamented how they were allowed to publicly express their opinions.
In his latest conversation with Vanity Fair—an interview that was published on April 22, 2025—Stan was asked for his thoughts on whether Trump had actually watched the movie. Without missing a beat, the actor responded with characteristic confidence, saying, “I would put money down he’s seen it 100 fucking times, of course, because he’s a narcissist.” He further added, “And I bet you there are certain things he likes about it.”
When asked what those things might be, Stan smirked and replied, “How he looked.”
Stan’s performance in The Apprentice had earned him widespread acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. However, the Oscar that year ultimately went to Adrien Brody for his role in The Brutalist. Despite not taking home the coveted statue, Stan received recognition in other notable arenas.
At the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, Jane Fonda, who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, gave Stan a special mention. She remarked that while one might “hate” the character a person plays, it’s essential to understand and empathize with the trauma that character may be experiencing. Fonda’s words were a direct reference to Stan’s portrayal in The Apprentice, and she acknowledged his depth as an actor.
For Stan, the shoutout from Fonda was perhaps even more meaningful than winning an Oscar. In the interview, Stan shared that he wasn’t attending the SAG Awards at the time, but someone told him to tune in because Fonda had mentioned his name. He admitted to being completely taken aback, stating that he never in his wildest dreams would have imagined that someone like Fonda would even be aware of who he was.
This series of events showcases not just Stan’s boldness in addressing high-profile figures like Trump, but also his growing stature in Hollywood as an actor capable of leaving a lasting impression, both on-screen and off.