Donald Trump’s “All-Time Favorite Movie” Is Arguably One of the Greatest Movies of All Time 

If you had to guess, what would Donald Trump’s favorite movie be? A high-octane action flick with big explosions and larger-than-life heroes, or perhaps a political thriller that mirrors his dramatic rise to power?

Well, it turns out Trump’s ‘all-time favorite’ movie isn’t what you’d expect. It’s a film that’s been hailed as one of the greatest in cinema history—Citizen Kane. That’s right. The 45th President of the United States has a soft spot for a movie about a publishing mogul turned political powerhouse.

Now, before you start questioning Trump’s movie taste, let’s take a deeper look. You might be thinking, ‘Wait, isn’t Citizen Kane all old and black-and-white?’ Sure, it’s from 1941, but don’t let that fool you. It’s the movie that many film critics still call ‘the best ever made,’ a movie that changed cinema forever.

And apparently, Trump agrees. But why this film? And does it really hold up after 80+ years? Let’s dive into it and find out what makes Citizen Kane a movie that’s still living rent-free in Trump’s head—and why it should probably be living in yours too.

Here’s Why Citizen Kane is Donald Trump’s Favorite Movie of All Time

According to Donald Trump himself, his all-time favorite movie is Citizen Kane. Yep, this film from 1941, directed by and starring Orson Welles, tops his list. In an interview with Movieline, Trump called Citizen Kane one of the best, saying:

It is one of the greats of all time. The acting, the story, the production values are all superb. The fact that it was Orson Welles’ first feature film is also impressive, and the mystery of Rosebud in the midst of a narrative about a business power play gives it further resonance. Hard to beat.

He’s not wrong, though. The film follows the life of a powerful newspaper mogul named Charles Foster Kane, who becomes a political figure. The movie starts with Kane’s death, and then a reporter tries to figure out the meaning behind his final words—“Rosebud.”

This search for meaning leads the reporter (and the audience) through flashbacks of Kane’s life, as told by the people who knew him best. But even though everyone shares pieces of Kane’s story, the mystery of “Rosebud” remains unsolved until the very end.

Now, you might be wondering why Trump would love a movie about a man’s life unraveling after he dies. But when you think about it, Kane’s life was all about ambition, power, and wealth—things that Trump is no stranger to.

Trump built his empire through his media presence, much like Kane did in the movie. So it makes sense that he would relate to Kane’s story. And the way Kane’s life is told—through different perspectives—adds a layer of intrigue that keeps you hooked. 

Why Citizen Kane is the Best Movie of All Time

Now let’s answer the big question: Why is Citizen Kane still considered one of the greatest movies ever made, even though it’s more than 80 years old? For starters, the movie changed the way films were made.

Orson Welles, who not only starred in the film but also directed and co-wrote it, introduced so many groundbreaking techniques that changed how movies are made today.

One of the most famous innovations is the use of deep focus. This was a huge deal back in the 1940s because most movies at the time used shallow focus, where only the person or object closest to the camera was in focus. 

Welles and his cinematographer, Gregg Toland, used deep focus to visually show the complexity of the characters. Like, when you watch Citizen Kane, every shot feels like it’s telling you a deeper story. And trust us, it is.

But it’s not just the visuals. The storytelling is next-level. Citizen Kane tells the story of a man’s life through the eyes of several different characters, each revealing a little piece of who he was. The whole mystery of “Rosebud” is just the cherry on top.

And then, let’s not forget the themes. The movie isn’t just about a rich guy losing it all—though it kind of is—but it’s also about power, loneliness, and the cost of ambition. Kane has everything a person could ever want: wealth, fame, influence.

But he’s alone, isolated, and ultimately unfulfilled. Citizen Kane is like a cautionary tale, warning us about the dangers of chasing power without knowing what really matters.

The fact that all these complex layers are packed into a film that’s still enjoyable to watch today, 80+ years later? That’s why it’s a masterpiece. It’s timeless, and that’s why people like Trump—and, well, pretty much every cinephile—still rate it as the greatest movie of all time.

Donald Trump’s Other Favorite Films

Okay, so now that we’ve covered Trump’s top pick, let’s look at the rest of his movie list. It’s not all Citizen Kane—he’s got some pretty interesting tastes in films.

In the same interview, Trump has openly praised Bloodsport, calling it “an incredible, fantastic movie.” If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry. It’s one of those classic 1980s martial arts movies that’s a guilty pleasure for many.

Then there’s Goodfellas, which Trump has called “great entertainment.” If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Trump isn’t a stranger to power dynamics—and Goodfellas is all about that. But wait, there’s more. The 78-year-old has also called The Godfather (both the original and Part II) “classic.”

Trump’s list doesn’t stop there. He’s also into movies like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (classic westerns), Gone with the Wind (the old-school epic), and Home Alone 2 (not just because he made a cameo in it, but also because nostalgia hits different).

Plus, there’s Zoolander—a little bit of comedy, a little bit of fashion, and a lot of laughs. Trump even made a cameo in that one, playing himself. So yeah, his taste in movies runs the gamut—from heavy drama to lighthearted comedy.

Citizen Kane is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video!