Armando Iannucci, the creator of the political satire Veep, has revealed difficulties in securing funding for a project based on Donald Trump's speeches, citing fears of retribution from the US administration. Speaking at a Creative UK event in Liverpool, Iannucci said potential buyers in the US have warned him against proceeding.
According to Iannucci, he was told: 'Yeah, you wouldn't get the money for that at the moment, I’m afraid.' When he asked why, the response was: 'Well, you know, if you want what comes with it …' He added that journalists advised him that being on a certain list could lead to harassment from authorities, including tax audits and legal battles.
Iannucci, known for films such as The Death of Stalin and The Personal History of David Copperfield, did not specify whether the project would be a TV series or film. He remains determined to proceed without US funding, stating: 'Let’s see what happens.'
The comments come amid concerns over free speech under the second Trump administration. Iannucci also noted that Trump's tariff threats could deter American financiers from backing non-US productions, leaving projects in limbo.
Last year's film The Apprentice, which depicted Trump raping his then-wife Ivana, faced legal threats from Trump's team, who called it 'pure malicious defamation.' Despite this, the film earned two Oscar nominations.
The Writers Guild of America recently warned against censorship, stating that the right to speak freely 'is not to be denied … by acts of corporate cowardice.'
