In interviews conducted in 2021 after leaving the White House, Donald Trump revealed that his mentality and decision-making processes were heavily influenced by his experience hosting “The Apprentice.” He saw his runs for president and his time in the White House as extensions of his reality show, where he focused on image and drama. Trump often talked about job applicants in terms of “central casting,” believing he could identify star power by appearance alone. In his search for a vice president, he prioritized generating headlines and drama to hold the audience’s attention.
Loyalty was key in Trump’s worldview, which he learned from his time on “The Apprentice.” He valued loyalty above all else and enjoyed discussing how former contestants like Joan Rivers and Dennis Rodman had been loyal to him. He brought Omarosa Manigault Newman, a contestant and troublemaker on the show, into his administration as a political adviser to test her loyalty. Trump’s decisions were driven by his belief that everything he does is an experiment to see who is loyal and who is not.
Trump’s mentality of keeping viewers guessing and stirring up drama to hold their attention was a driving force in his search for a vice president. There were reports that he was considering pressuring Marco Rubio to relocate as a loyalty test, even though this move would raise constitutional questions. Trump’s tendency to string along candidates for dramatic effect, as he did with Gary Busey on “The Apprentice,” was evident in his approach to the vice presidential selection process.
Trump’s mindset was deeply influenced by Hollywood’s teachings about keeping viewers engaged through unpredictability and drama, a principle he applied to his search for a vice president. He viewed his actions as experiments conducted to determine loyalty and maintain public interest. His focus on celebrity and image, which he honed through his TV career, played a significant role in shaping his decisions as a political leader. Trump’s unconventional approach to politics and governance was a reflection of his belief that attention-grabbing tactics were essential to success.
Overall, Trump’s mentality and decision-making processes were heavily influenced by his experience hosting “The Apprentice.” He viewed his presidential runs and time in the White House as extensions of his reality show, prioritizing image and drama in his actions. Loyalty was a key factor in his worldview, and he often tested the loyalty of those around him through his decisions. Trump’s focus on generating headlines and maintaining viewer interest shaped his approach to finding a vice president, reflecting his belief that unpredictability and drama were essential for success.
