The Donald Trump I Saw on The Apprentice: For 20 years, I couldn't say what I watched the former president do on the set

[demmiblue]

For 20 years, I couldn’t say what I watched the former president do on the set of the show that changed everything. Now I can.

n Jan. 8, 2004, just more than 20 years ago, the first episode of The Apprentice aired. It was called “Meet the Billionaire,” and 18 million people watched. The episodes that followed climbed to roughly 20 million each week. A staggering 28 million viewers tuned in to watch the first season finale. The series won an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, and the Television Critics Association called it one of the best TV shows of the year, alongside The Sopranos and Arrested Development. The series—alongside its bawdy sibling, The Celebrity Apprentice—appeared on NBC in coveted prime-time slots for more than a decade.

The Apprentice was an instant success in another way too. It elevated Donald J. Trump from sleazy New York tabloid hustler to respectable household name. In the show, he appeared to demonstrate impeccable business instincts and unparalleled wealth, even though his businesses had barely survived multiple bankruptcies and faced yet another when he was cast. By carefully misleading viewers about Trump—his wealth, his stature, his character, and his intent—the competition reality show set about an American fraud that would balloon beyond its creators’ wildest imaginations.

I should know. I was one of four producers involved in the first two seasons. During that time, I signed an expansive nondisclosure agreement that promised a fine of $5 million and even jail time if I were to ever divulge what actually happened. It expired this year.

No one involved in The Apprentice—from the production company or the network, to the cast and crew—was involved in a con with malicious intent. It was a TV show, and it was made for entertainment. I still believe that. But we played fast and loose with the facts, particularly regarding Trump, and if you were one of the 28 million who tuned in, chances are you were conned.

https://slate.com/culture/2024/05/donald-trump-news-2024-trial-verdict-apprentice.html

Link to tweet

[Arne]

1. Never saw it.

[BWdem4life]

6. You're fired.

[dalton99a]

2. Kick

[GreenWave]

7. ...Trump in the buttocks...

Making a longer sentence.

[John1956PA]

3. When I watched, I thought he was lampooning his own image.

Looking back, I do not think that he was highly engaged with the contestants. He was performing on the show for the sake of the money and the publicity.

[JohnnyRingo]

4. A must read.

Though lengthy, it tells the behind the scenes of his scam reality show, and how the producers unwittingly took a con man and created a monster able to accumulate a base of mindless idiots who think it's all real.

[intrepidity]

5. Whew, a long read, thanks

“I think Kwame would be a great addition to the organization,” Kepcher says to Trump, who winces while his head bobs around in reaction to what he is hearing and clearly resisting.

“Why didn’t he just fire her?” Trump asks, referring to Omarosa. It’s a reasonable question. Given that this the first time we’ve ever been in this situation, none of this is something we expected.

“That’s not his job,” Bienstock says to Trump. “That’s yours.” Trump’s head continues to bob.

“I don’t think he knew he had the ability to do that,” Kepcher says. Trump winces again.

“Yeah,” he says to no one in particular, “but, I mean, would America buy a n— winning?”

Kepcher’s pale skin goes bright red. I turn my gaze toward Trump. He continues to wince. He is serious, and he is adamant about not hiring Jackson.

Bienstock does a half cough, half laugh, and swiftly changes the topic or throws to Ross for his assessment. What happens next I don’t entirely recall. I am still processing what I have just heard. We all are. Only Bienstock knows well enough to keep the train moving. None of us thinks to walk out the door and never return. I still wish I had. (Bienstock and Kepcher didn’t respond to requests for comment.)

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. Who is surprised by this?

Link to tweet

[Hekate]

11. Not I. Everything I've ever heard about the man has been disgusting.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. Biden-Harris campaign on the new report that Trump used the N-word and discriminated against Black Americans

Link to tweet

[ificandream]

10. K&R.