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Trump has a message to CEOs: Build in America or pay up

Davos, Switzerland
Billionaires and world leaders descend upon Davos, Switzerland, every year for the World Economic Forum.

Andy Barton/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Good morning. The S&P 500 closed at a record high yesterday for the first time since early December, fueled by comments from President Donald Trump calling for lower oil prices and interest rates.

The comments were part of Trump's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which is the focus of today's newsletter.

BI was in the room to hear Trump's message to global business leaders: Build in America or pay up.


What's on deck

Markets: Companies are forecasting their Q4 earnings, but investors should probably take them with a grain of salt.

Tech: Inside TikTok's wild weekend.

Business: Costco shareholders overwhelmingly reject anti-DEI proposal.

But first, Trump has something he wants businesses to know.


If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.


The big story

Trump at Davos

Trump in Davos

Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images

President Donald Trump is making sure the whole world knows it: "America is back and open for business."

Trump appeared via videolink to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, where he addressed some of the world's most powerful leaders. BI's Spriha Srivastava was in the room to witness the audience go from laughter to silence in seconds.

"My message to every business in the world is very simple: Come make your product in America," Trump said.

"If you don't make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then, very simply, you will have to pay a tariff," he added.

Trump has previously threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, which he said could begin as early as February 1.

He also proposed a 60% tariff on China during his presidential campaign, but he said earlier this week he was considering a 10% tariff on goods from the country next month.

When Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman asked about Europe, Trump didn't hold back, voicing his frustration with European regulatory enforcement actions against tech giants like Apple, Google, and Meta (who were major donors to his inauguration and whose CEOs were prominent guests).

"Whether you like them or not, they're American companies, and they shouldn't be doing that," Trump said.

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC
President Donald Trump signed an anti-DEI executive order on his first day in office.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Trump has plans for the corporate tax rate.

Brian Moynihan, Bank of America's CEO, asked how the Trump administration would prioritize GDP growth and reducing inflation amid his dozens of executive orders.

Trump said he would work to bring the corporate tax rate down to 15% from 21%, provided companies manufacture their products in the US.

The president also called out big banks, accusing them of discriminating against conservatives.

"Many conservatives complain that the banks are not allowing them to do business within the bank, and that included a place called Bank of America," he said.

Bank of America responded publicly, saying it welcomes conservatives among its 70 million clients.

The president also thanked Saudi Arabia after it announced it would invest $600 billion in the US, but Trump added that he would be asking the crown prince "who's a fantastic guy, to round it out to around $1 trillion."

When Trump finished, Schwarzman remarked: "I'm sure the crown prince of Saudi Arabia will be really glad you gave this speech today."

Trump's speech reminded Spriha of how different his style is from the measured, diplomatic tone that usually defines Davos. Whether his message landed the way he intended, however, is another question.

BI's Katie Balevic, Dominick Reuter, Noah Sheidlower, and Allie Kelly have the full rundown of Trump's address.


Dan in Davos

Uf Widerluege! And that's a wrap on Davos 2025.

It's tough to truly judge this year's event since it was my first time here, but I think it's fair to say the vibe was a bit unique.

As much as the World Economic Forum is supposed to feel like the center of the business universe, everyone had at least one eye firmly on Washington this week.

It wasn't just the new administration. The speed at which President Trump began implementing his policies kept everyone's attention outside the Alps.

So what are the big takeaways from the week beyond President Trump?

There is a real belief that we'll start to see ROI on those AI investments this year. It's not 100% clear how that'll come to fruition, but AI agents will likely play a key role, and businesses are starting to think about how to build commercial models around them.

Uncertainty around the new administration remains a business risk, but there's optimism tariffs won't be so strong they'll stop businesses in their tracks.

And excitement around the return of the M&A and the IPO market is palpable, as exit opportunities will allow the wider business lifecycle to get moving again.

As things here wrap up, eyes are already turning to Davos 2026.

Plenty of companies have already locked down their spaces along the promenade β€” the main street in town where retail shops are transformed into a "haus" for businesses β€” for next year with more to follow. Restaurants and apartments also book up fast.

Here's everything else you need to know about the last full day in Davos.


News brief

Top headlines


3 things in markets

Wall Street stocks

imagedepotpro/Getty Images/iStockphoto

1. Too early to tell on Q4. Companies are forecasting strong Q4 earnings, but it remains to be seen how the prospect of Trump's tariffs is shaking things up. UBS says it's possible that consumers and companies have adjusted spending ahead of tariffs. The firm shared advice for how investors can navigate the uncertainty.

2. A raise for Dimon. JPMorgan boosted CEO Jamie Dimon's compensation to an eye-popping $39 million, following a record year of profitability for the bank. It breaks down to a $1.5 million base salary and a $37.5 million bonus, most of which is in equity.

3. Alt data's trade-secrets fight is getting nasty. Carlyle-backed data provider Yipit sued two ex-employees in October, accusing them of stealing "secret information" to aid their new employer, Jefferies-owned M Science. Now, Yipit wants to add M Science and its CEO as defendants β€” and M Science clapped back with a lawsuit of its own. Onlookers worry about the fallout for the entire sector and its clients.


3 things in tech

tiktok logo

TikTok; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

1. Inside TikTok's weekend of whiplash. The Supreme Court cleared the way for the long-awaited TikTok ban last Friday. The app went dark on Saturday. And on Sunday, it was back from the grave. BI's Sydney Bradley and Dan Whateley spoke to employees, partners, and creators to chronicle an intense weekend.

2. Meta boycott? Yeah right. The calls for a boycott of Meta's platforms β€” which came in response to the company scrapping DEI programs and third-party fact-checking β€” don't seem to be having much impact. Data shows engagement has largely held firm, and its in-app revenue actually increased.

3. Amazon resumes new US green-card applications for foreign workers. A leaked memo obtained by BI revealed the e-commerce giant has restarted the process for international job seekers, after putting it on hold in 2023-2024 due to "labor market conditions." The move may signal an improving job market.


3 things in business

CNN CEO Mark Thompson in 2024.
CNN CEO Mark Thompson oversaw 100 job cuts to the company in 2024.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery

1. CNN is cutting 200 TV jobs as it pivots to digital. The layoffs would impact 6% of CNN's workforce, but CEO Mark Thompson told employees in a memo the overall head count would likely be similar thanks to new digital roles. Current and former staffers shared mixed reactions.

2. Costco shareholders rejected an anti-DEI proposal. While several companies have walked back diversity programs, Costco's board unanimously supported theirs β€” voting against a proposal to report on the risks of the company's DEI efforts. This comes just days after President Trump issued sweeping rules to end DEI initiatives at federal agencies.

3. DOGE gets feedback from across the aisle. Sen. Elizabeth Warren had some ideas on how to cut back on wasteful government spending, elaborating in a letter sent to DOGE leader Elon Musk. The senator has a list of 30 suggestions, and the pair are on the same page about reducing the defense budget.


In other news


What's happening now

  • American Express and Verizon report earnings.
  • Two new giant pandas debut at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Sebastian Stan's 15 best and 15 worst movies, according to critics

Sebastian Stan attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.
Sebastian Stan in 2025.

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

  • Sebastian Stan just received his first Oscar nomination.
  • We looked at the critics' scores for all of his movies on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • Not surprisingly, his top-rated movie is "Avengers: Endgame."

Sebastian Stan has had one of the most interesting careers in Hollywood. He got his start on TV playing roles like Carter Baizen in "Gossip Girl," TJ Hammond in "Political Animals," and the Mad Hatter in "Once Upon a Time." At the same time, he was cast as Bucky Barnes, the lovable best friend of Steve Rogers in 2011's "Captain America: The First Avenger."

Fourteen years later, Stan is still playing Bucky, aka the Winter Soldier β€” "Thunderbolts" is out this year β€” and has appeared in multiple billion-dollar films in the role. He's also been nominated for an Emmy for playing Tommy Lee in "Pam & Tommy," appeared in multiple best picture nominees, and got the two biggest accolades of his career this year.

He won best actor in a comedy at the 2025 Golden Globes for his role in "A Different Man" and, a few weeks later, received his first Oscar nomination for playing Donald Trump in "The Apprentice."

Here's how critics have received Stan's films throughout his career.

These are the worst films in Stan's career, according to critics.
sebastian stan
Sebastian Stan.

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

According to critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes, these are the worst films of Stan's career.

15. "Ricki and the Flash" (2015)
sebastian stan in ricki and the flash
"Ricki and the Flash" was directed by Jonathan Demme.

Sony Pictures Releasing

Rotten Tomatoes score: 65%

Ricki (Meryl Streep) abandoned her family to pursue her dreams of becoming a rock star, but years later, she is forced to reckon with what it did to the three kids she left behind, including her son Joshua (Stan), who didn't even tell her that he is engaged.

"Ricki's life may be chaotic but the film hits the high notes when it counts, in rambunctious, crowd-pleasing fashion," wrote Mark Kermode of The Observer.

13 (tie). "Hot Tub Time Machine" (2010)
sebastian stan hot tub time machine
"Hot Tub Time Machine" also stars John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke.

MGM Distribution Co.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%

When four middle-age friends reunite at the ski resort they used to frequent in their younger days, they're dismayed to find it rundown. They decide to get drunk and drown their sorrows in a hot tub, which takes them back to 1986. Stan plays a bully, Blaine, who's part of the resort's ski patrol.

"An irreverent, guilty pleasure, frat boy comedy, it blows a big fat raspberry at sci-fi fans and tells them to stick their Flux Capacitors where the sun don't shine," wrote Anna Smith of Metro.

13 (tie). "Red Doors" (2005)
red doors
Stan has a small role in "Red Doors"

Warner Brothers; Polychrome Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%

The film mainly focuses on the Chinese-American Wong family as they navigate their own ups and downs while dealing with their distant father, Ed. Stan has a small role.

G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle called it "a gentle, pleasant film about people you genuinely like."

12. "The Last Full Measure" (2019)
the last full measure
"The Last Full Measure" was based on a true story.

Roadside Attractions

Rotten Tomatoes score: 62%

Scott Huffman (Stan), a Pentagon employee, investigates the life and death of Vietnam airman William H. Pitsenbarger (Christopher Plummer), whose family has submitted a Medal of Honor request, only to find out there's way more to the story.

"Here's a true story about a young soldier's exceptional bravery and sacrifice made into a pretty average war movie, insubstantial and TV-ish despite the appearance of some decorated Hollywood veterans," wrote Cath Clarke for The Guardian.

10 (tie). "Monday" (2020)
sebastian stan in monday
Stan stars in "Monday" opposite Denise Gough.

IFC Films

Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%

Two strangers, Mickey (Stan) and Chloe (Denise Gough), meet while living in Athens and almost immediately have intense chemistry before embarking on a weekend-long relationship that turns into something more.

"Try though the actors may, they're unable to make us care about characters who are primarily defined by their lousy decisions and who lack the spark to draw us closer to their flame," wrote Ty Burr of The Boston Globe.

10 (tie). "The Education of Charlie Banks" (2007)
the education of charlie banks
"The Education of Charlie Banks" is a drama.

Anchor Bay Entertainment

Rotten Tomatoes score48%

Charlie (Jesse Eisenberg) and Danny (Chris Marquette) are childhood best friends who are now roommates in college. But when Mick (Jason Ritter), someone with a dark link to their hometown, decides to come stay with them, Charlie is worried he's planning revenge. Stan plays Leo, another one of their college friends.

"Though painted with broad strokes and marred by dialogue howlers during key moments, 'Education' tracks Charlie's emerging sense of identity and perspective," wrote Film Comment Magazine's Nicolas Rapold.

9. "Endings, Beginnings" (2019)
endings beginnings
"Endings, Beginnings" focuses on a love triangle.

Samuel Goldwyn Films

Rotten Tomatoes score: 45%

After a bad breakup turns Daphne's (Shailene Woodley) world upside-down, she finds herself drawn to two polar opposite men who happen to be best friends: Jack (Jamie Dornan), a stable and serious writer, and Frank (Stan), a free-spirited guy always down for adventure.

Paste Magazine's Amy Amatangelo wrote, "'Endings/Beginnings' swerves toward an uplifting and positive conclusion [that] doesn't feel natural or earned. By then, one can only hope those familiar, poorly lit faces made the viewing worthwhile."

8. "I'm Not Here" (2017)
i'm not here sebastian stan
Stan went blonde for "I'm Not Here."

Gravitas Ventures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%

An old man, Steve (JK Simmons), is forced to look back at his life and figure out why he's been left old and alone. Stan plays the younger version of Steve.

"There isn't a moment of 'I'm Not Here' that didn't have me fervently wishing I wasn't here," wrote the New York Post's Sara Stewart.

7. "The Bronze" (2015)
the bronze
"The Bronze" stars Stan and "Big Bang Theory" actor Melissa Rauch.

Sony Pictures Classics

Rotten Tomatoes score: 37%

Former bronze medalist Hope Greggory (Melissa Rauch), who has been coasting on her minor celebrity ever since the Olympic Games, decides to coach young gymnastics superstar Maggie (Haley Lu Richardson) in order to receive a $500,000 inheritance from her dead coach. Stan plays another gymnastics trainer, Lance.

"This ostensibly edgy comedy didn't wring a single laugh out of me until maybe fifteen minutes before the finale," wrote Glenn Kenny for RogerEbert.com.

6. "The 355" (2022)
sebastian stan the 355
In "The 355," Stan got to speak in his first language, Romanian.

Universal Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 24%

Three spies (and one field psychologist) from around the world team up to take down a crime lord in possession of a device that could effectively destroy the world. Stan plays Nick, a CIA agent and boyfriend of Jessica Chastain's character.

"If you've ever seen a mediocre action movie with a surprisingly stacked cast, then you've basically seen this," wrote Mashable's Kristy Puchko.

5. "Spread" (2009)
sebastian stan in spread
"Spread" also stars Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche, and Margarita Levieva.

Anchor Bay Films

Rotten Tomatoes score: 22%

After Nikki (Ashton Kutcher), a gigolo who lives without a care in the world, meets Heather (Margarita Levieva), he becomes fixated on her β€” to the detriment of everything else in his life. Stan plays Harry, his best friend.

"Shallow, melodramatic, pretentious and wildly misguided, it's also ambitious, entertaining and rather funny," wrote Tom Huddleston of Time Out.

4. "Gone" (2012)
gone sebastian stan
It's neither actor's best work.

Lionsgate

Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%

A woman, Jill (Amanda Seyfried), is dealing with the aftermath of her brutal kidnapping a year prior … including that no one believes it actually happened. After her sister goes missing, she fears that her kidnapper has struck again. Stan plays the missing woman's boyfriend.

Derek Malcolm of the London Evening Standard wrote, "It's one of those Hollywood movies that goes in one eye and out the other."

3. "The Architect" (2006)
sebastian stan in the architect
"The Architect" was one of his first roles.

Magnolia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

An architect, played by Anthony LaPaglia, is forced to come to terms with his life β€” his wife is bored, his son doesn't care about following in his footsteps, and his daughter is growing up too fast β€” while contending with the fact that one of his projects has led to community decay. Stan plays his son, Martin.

"Despite his obvious earnestness, first-time director and cowriter Matt Tauber is ill-equipped to mine emotions this complex," wrote Michael Booth for the Denver Post.

2. "The Covenant" (2006)
sebastian stan in the covenant
Stan plays the villain, Chase, in "The Covenant."

Sony Pictures Releasing

Rotten Tomatoes score: 4%

A group of high school boys who are descended from ancient witches have to contend with the fact that their magic is slowly killing them. They also must confront a new foe, Chase (Stan), who threatens all of them.

"Flying scenes, frat-boy face-offs and pyrotechnic punch-ups are punctuated by excruciating expository dialogue," wrote Nigel Floyd of Time Out.

1. "The Apparition" (2012)
sebastian stan in the apparition
Stan plays a character named Ben in "The Apparition."

Warner Bros. Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 3%

A group of college students, including Stan's character Ben, attempt to recreate the "Charles Experiment," which sees them stare at a drawing of a dead man named Charles to summon his spirit. It works, and they slowly get picked off one by one.

"The entity is a ghostly presence amid an even ghostlier absence. This is truly distressed real estate," wrote The Boston Globe's Mark Feeney.

And now, the best films of his career.
Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan.

Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

The last few years have been great for Stan, including his first Golden Globe win, his first Oscar nomination, appearances in multiple billion-dollar films, and an Emmy nomination.

15. "Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011)
captain america the first avenger steve and bucky 1
"Captain America: The First Avenger" was the first time Stan played Bucky, a role he's still playing to this day.

Disney/Marvel

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

When the puny Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to become a science experiment for the US Army, he's turned into the super-strong and near-invulnerable Captain America, who dedicates his life to defeating the Nazis in World War II, with the help of Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), best friend Bucky (Stan), and the rest of the Howling Commandos.

"[Director Joe] Johnston should be saluted for old-fashioned heart in a cynical age, while Marvel should be confined to barracks for cynical marketing," wrote Empire Magazine's Colin Kennedy.

13 (tie). "Fresh" (2022)
fresh
Stan weaponizes his charm as Steve in "Fresh."

Hulu

Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%

"Fresh," which dropped on Hulu in 2022, stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Noa, a young woman who is sick of dating apps and decides to take a chance on Steve (played by Stan), a guy she met at the grocery store. Unsurprisingly, there's more to Steve than he lets on.

"The final act comes with perhaps too many surprises on the menu, but the film is so much fun that I didn't mind the extra courses," wrote Shirley Li of The Atlantic.

13 (tie). "The Apprentice" (2024)
sebastian stan as donald trump in the apprentice
"The Apprentice" was directed by Ali Abbasi.

Briarcliff Entertainment

Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%

"The Apprentice" focuses on the rise of Donald Trump in the 1970s as he became a power player in New York real estate under the tutelage of Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. Both Stan and Strong were nominated for Oscars.

"Stan does a bang-up job capturing Trump's verbal cadence and tics, his hand gestures, and his smirk, which seemed a lot less obvious in the 1970s and '80s than they are now," wrote Peter Howell for the Toronto Star.

11 (tie). "Dumb Money" (2023)
sebastian stan in dumb money
Stan reunited with director Craig Gillespie for "Dumb Money."

Sony Pictures Releasing

Rotten Tomatoes score84%

"Dumb Money" is a "Big Short"-esque look at the GameStop stock squeeze. Wall Street and other ultrawealthy investors lost billions of dollars when they bet against the video game retailer, while the Reddit forum WallStreetBets was making the price go sky-high. Stan plays Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev.

"Paul Dano heads a sprawling cast as the guy leading the rebels with pitchforks on behalf of GameStop, resulting in a film that's smart and satisfying enough to earn every dollar it makes," wrote Brian Lowry for CNN.

11 (tie). "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" (2018)
we have always lived in the castle
"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" also stars Taissa Farmiga and Alexandra Daddario.

Brainstorm Media

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

The Blackwood sisters are ostracized from the rest of society, as their whole town believes they are witches who poisoned their own parents. When their charismatic cousin Charles (Stan) comes to town, Constance (Alexandra Daddario) and Merricat (Taissa Farmiga) disagree on his intentions and what to do with him.

"The film adaptation of 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' understands Shirley Jackson's novel as a tale of male abuse and female rage," wrote Roxana Hadadi for Pajiba.

8 (tie). "Rachel Getting Married" (2008)
sebastian stan in rachel getting married
Stan plays a troubled young man named Walter.

Sony Pictures Classics

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

"Rachel Getting Married" stars Anne Hathaway as Kym Buchanan, a young woman who is released from rehab in order to attend her sister Rachel's wedding. Stan has a small role as someone else in Kym's rehab center.

"Hathaway's performance has been deservedly nominated for an Oscar. Whether or not she wins, here's hoping the associated kudos saves her from ever having to do another 'Bride Wars,'" wrote Sandra Hall of the Sydney Morning Herald. (Kate Winslet ultimately won the award for "The Reader.")

8 (tie). "Black Swan" (2010)
sebastian stan in black swan
He's only in one scene.

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

"Black Swan" is a psychological thriller about a ballerina, Nina (Natalie Portman), whose grip on reality begins to slip after she's made the lead ballerina in a performance of "The Swan Queen." Sebastian plays a man who Nina meets at a bar while she's trying to access her inner darkness.

"By the end, Nina's quest for perfection β€” and Portman's blazing performance β€” will leave you breathless," wrote Caryn James for Marie Claire.

8 (tie). "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018)
Bucky Barnes Infinity War
Bucky is the center of one of the most heartbreaking scenes in "Avengers: Infinity War."

Marvel Studios

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

Earth's mightiest heroes are scattered throughout the planet β€” and space β€” to team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time to take down Thanos, their most formidable foe of all time, before he can obtain all six Infinity Stones and wipe out half the population of the universe.

"Never has the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' seemed like more of a universe, in ways both good and bad. 'Infinity War' β€” the title is almost too apt β€” is far from a perfect movie, but it is probably close to the best movie it could have been," wrote The Atlantic's Christopher Orr.

5 (tie). "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014)
captain america the winter solider bucky cap shield
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is all about Bucky and Steve's relationship.

Disney/Marvel

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

After the events of "The Avengers," Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) is working for SHIELD, a US governmental agency. But when his boss, Nick Fury, discovers a huge conspiracy, he's seemingly killed, and Steve is forced to go on the run.

At the same time, he discovers his best friend from the '40s, Bucky, didn't actually die during WWII, and was instead discovered by the Nazis. He was tortured and brainwashed into becoming a mindless killing machine: The Winter Soldier.

Kate Erbland of MTV wrote, "'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' neatly and entertainingly puts into motion some big changes in the Marvel universe, while still sticking to its own charms β€” no easy feat, but one fit for a hero."

5 (tie). "Captain America: Civil War" (2016)
bucky barnes civil war
"Captain America: Civil War" was a huge hit with critics and audiences alike.

Marvel

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

After HYDRA was destroyed at the end of "Winter Soldier," a newly free Bucky lies low in Romania. However, when he's framed for a bombing in Vienna, Steve comes to his defense, flying in the face of a new agreement called the Sokovia Accords, which aims to hold superheroes accountable, splitting the Avengers down the middle.

"It is one of the best movies to ever come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, balancing engaging action set pieces and witty dialogue with intelligent character studies and ethical debates," wrote Salon's Matthew Rozsa.

5 (tie). "I, Tonya" (2017)
i tonya neon
"I, Tonya" was directed by Craig Gillespie.

Neon

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

Based on the real story of figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie), the film follows her life from childhood and learning how to skate, all the way to the infamous night when Nancy Kerrigan was attacked.

Stan plays Harding's husband and the brains behind the attack against Kerrigan, Jeff Gillooly.

"'I, Tonya' is far from your typical biopic, and it's all the better for it. Buoyed by sharp, fun storytelling and Oscar-worthy performances, it's exactly the type of movie this story deserved," wrote CultureMap's Alex Bentley.

4. "The Martian" (2015)
the martian
"The Martian" earned its star, Matt Damon, an Oscar nomination.

Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is a botanist and a member of the Ares III mission to Mars. When a storm separates him from his crew, he's left behind and must figure out a way to survive on the red planet alone. Stan plays one of the crew members.

"Despite being marketed under the mainstream bait of a 'space movie,' 'The Martian' is, more than anything, a love letter to science, without ever feeling like a boring textbook," wrote Complex's Kristen Yoonsoo Kim.

2 (tie). "A Different Man" (2024)
sebastian stan in a different man
In "A Different Man," Stan plays a man struggling with his identity.

A24

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

In "A Different Man," Stan plays a man named Edward who has the genetic condition neurofibromatosis. After he gets surgery to "fix" himself, he becomes obsessed with an actor named Oswald (played by Adam Pearson, who actually does have this condition), who is going to play Edward in a play based on his life.

LA Weekly's Erin Maxwell wrote, "Although 'A Different Man' will confound many with its bleak twists and polarizing take on humanity, Stan's performance in the surrealist outing is stellar."

2 (tie). "Logan Lucky" (2017)
sebastian stan logan lucky
Stan has a small, yet memorable, part in "Logan Lucky."

Fingerprint Releasing; Bleecker Street

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Channing Tatum and Adam Driver costar as the Logan brothers who devise a plot to rob a NASCAR speedway, but, in classic Steven Soderbergh style, there are many twists and turns along the way. Stan plays a NASCAR driver, Dayton White.

"A singular filmmaker returns from a cinematic sabbatical in qualified triumph. We're lucky to have him," wrote Donald Clarke of The Irish Times.

1. "Avengers: Endgame" (2019)
avengers endgame
"Avengers: Endgame" once again uses the relationship between Bucky and Steve as its emotional crux.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

After Thanos dusts half the universe, the original six Avengers (along with some new allies) go on a "time heist" through their own past to find all six Infinity Stones and return all their lost loved ones to the present.

"The only complaint about 'Avengers: Endgame' is that it raises the bar so high that there may well never be a superhero movie to match it," wrote Matthew Norman of the London Evening Standard.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Majority of Americans have unfavorable view of Musk, DOGE: AP-NORC poll

About half of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of Elon Musk, and an even larger share disapprove of President Trump relying on advice from billionaires to shape government policy, per new AP-NORC poll data.

Why it matters: Musk is playing a central role in the Trump administration with the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he has promised will revolutionize the U.S. government. But Americans are far from sold on the initiative and its leader.


State of play: Just 29% of Americans approve Trump's creation of DOGE, the survey found.

  • A little over half (52%) of those surveyed said they have an unfavorable opinion of Musk, while 36% said they have a favorable opinion of the world's richest man.

Zoom in: 60% of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of the president relying on a billionaire for advice about government policy, the survey found.

  • 78% of Democrats said they disapproved of it, while just 35% of Republicans said the same.

Catch up quick: Not even a week into the administration, Musk has been at the center of controversy over a Nazi salute and publicly undermined a Trump-backed artificial intelligence investment.

The intrigue: "Americans' views of Musk and Trump have a fair amount of overlap: About 8 in 10 Americans share the same view of both men, whether positive or negative," the AP said.

  • "About half of Americans have an unfavorable view of both Musk and Trump."

Go deeper: "Keep Elon Out of AdMo": Musk meets D.C. resistance

Methodology: The AP-NORC poll of 1,147 adults was conducted Jan. 9-13. The margin of error is +/- 3.9 percentage points.

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