Sebastian Stan slams Donald Trump at Cannes, says America is in a 'really, really bad place'

Sebastian Stan did not mince words when asked about Donald Trump during the Cannes Film Festival, saying the United States is “in a really, really bad place.”

The Oscar-nominated actor was attending a press conference for his new film Fjord when a reporter brought up his acclaimed portrayal of Trump in 2024’s The Apprentice. As some members of the audience laughed, Stan quickly shut down the reaction.

“It’s just not a laughing matter, to be honest. It isn’t,” Stan said. “We’re in a really, really bad place.”

Stan added that the warning signs were already visible while making The Apprentice, the controversial biopic that explored Trump’s rise in New York real estate and his relationship with attorney Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong.

“You know, the writing was on the wall. We encountered all that with the movie,” Stan said, referring to the political climate surrounding the film’s release.

The Apprentice premiered at Cannes in 2024 and generated significant controversy, with Trump publicly denouncing the film before its release. Stan went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance.

At this year’s festival, Stan is promoting Fjord, directed by Cristian Mungiu and co-starring Renate Reinsve. The film received a lengthy standing ovation following its premiere earlier this week.

Stan’s latest remarks add to a growing list of celebrities using Cannes as a platform to comment on politics and current events, but the actor made clear that, in his view, the situation in the United States is far too serious for jokes.