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'A Man in Full': Speculation rife over whether Donald Trump inspired Jeff Daniels's character in Netflix series

Directed by David E. Kelley, 'A Man in Full' on Netflix follows the downfall of Charlie Croker, a real estate tycoon in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Netflix recently premiered 'A Man in Full', a business-drama series featuring Jeff Daniels on Thursday, May 2 and the fans are buzzing with speculations about whether Daniels' character, Charlie Croker, is inspired by Donald Trump.

Directed by David E. Kelley, 'A Man in Full' on Netflix follows the downfall of Charlie Croker, a real estate tycoon in Atlanta. His empire faces jeopardy due to business debts, particularly from PlannersBanc.

The series explores Atlanta's commercial, political, and cultural scenes. Although Charlie Croker's character is based on a Georgia Tech alum and ex-football player, many viewers see parallels with Donald Trump. Trump's six bankruptcy filings from 1991 to 2009 add to the perceived similarities between the two.

Despite the absence of an official confirmation from Jeff Daniels or the creators of 'A Man in Full', this did not stop the fans and other media outlets from questioning whether Donald Trump influenced Daniels' portrayal of his character.

Jeff Daniels responds to speculations about Donald Trump's influence on his role in 'A Man in Full'

In a recent interview with Reuters Asia on April 26, at 'A Man in Full' LA premiere, Jeff addressed the speculations where he said, "Financially, Charlie's gonna go through what Trump's gone through."

This particular section was also shared on their official X account with the caption, "WATCH: 'Charlie's kind of going through what Trump's going through': Jeff Daniels compares his character's situation in new series 'A Man in Full' to Donald Trump at LA premiere."

During another interview with ExtraTV on the same day of the Los Angeles premiere of 'A Man in Full', Jeff Daniels stated, "I didn’t think about Trump — the less I think about Trump, the happier I am."

They also posted this part of the interview on their official X handle on April 26 with the caption, "Jeff Daniels didn't draw on Donald Trump to inspire his #AManInFull character: "The less I think about Trump, the happier I am."

Viewers continue forming theories about Trump's influence on Jeff Daniels' role in 'A Man in Full'

Many fans took to X to share the parallels they noticed between Charlie Croker and Donaldd Trump, with one saying, ""A Man in Full" is about a real estate mogul & member of high society who is suddenly facing bankruptcy. Is this really an unauthorized biography of Donald Trump?"

One fan wrote, "A Man in Full" (Tom Wolfe novel) & one gets a curious feeling it's a feel good show about a "Donald Trump" questionable business man / human being produced for the pleasures & catharsis of a battered American viewing public." 

"In 2024, a series about a rich, old white man desperately manipulating everyone around him, patronising his Black staff, and making “humorous” jokes about “taking it” up the a*s as the major source of laughs? It’s not a Trump documentary, it’s the abysmal new “A Man In Full,” tweeted a user.

"Oh Goody, another "rich white guys are evil" show. Trump's white, he's rich, let the viewers make their own unfounded, ignorant connections. Must be why it's doing so well," wrote a viewer.

'A Man in Full' trailer

'A Man in Full' is now streaming on Netflix.