Ramin Setoodeh's new book, "Apprentice in Wonderland," explores Donald Trump's experience on "The Apprentice." Setoodeh interviewed Trump six times from May 2021 to November 2023, providing fresh insights into his interactions on the show. The book focuses on Trump's TV persona, separate from his presidency, shedding light on his Hollywood image.
Setoodeh, editor-in-chief of Variety, presents intriguing revelations about Trump. Trump acknowledged the show's role in shaping his journey to the presidency, underscoring the significance of its backstage story in comprehending his ascent to power.
One of the highlights from Setoodeh's book is the former president's claims regarding the ratings of "The Apprentice." Trump boldly asserted that the show's first season had outperformed the final season of "Friends" during certain weeks. Although "The Apprentice" sometimes had higher ratings than "Friends" during specific weeks, it did not attract more viewers overall. However, Trump often boasted about the show's success, showing his inclination to emphasize perception over reality.
Another revealing aspect is Trump's salary demands for the second season of "The Apprentice." Trump attempted to leverage the show's alleged higher ratings to negotiate a salary equivalent to the combined earnings of the "Friends" cast. However, producers deemed Trump's request exorbitant for a reality TV show and reacted strongly against it. Despite Trump's efforts to justify his demand based on ratings, NBC executives, including Jeff Zucker, rebuffed his proposal, prompting a tense standoff.
Several candidates, notably Tara Dowdell and Randall Pinkett, raised issues about the show's portrayal of Black contestants, attributing it to Trump's personal views. Setoodeh's interviews with contestants uncovered claims of racism permeating "The Apprentice." These testimonies highlighted the racial dynamics that exist behind the scenes of "The Apprentice" and cast doubt on Trump's behavior and views on diversity.
Trump's denial of the existence of tapes featuring him using racial slurs is another contentious topic addressed in Setoodeh's book. Despite allegations from former contestants and producers suggesting otherwise, Trump vehemently denied ever using such language. Rumors and speculation surrounding the alleged tapes continue to persist.
The book also highlights instances of Trump's inappropriate behavior toward female contestants on "The Apprentice." Allegations of sexual comments and advances toward contestants further contribute to the complex portrait of Trump's persona on the show.
Setoodeh explores Trump's rocky relationship with Zucker, a former NBC executive who played a big part in Trump's TV career. Despite Zucker's key role in making Trump the star of "The Apprentice," they clashed often, and Trump ended up calling Zucker "human scum." Trump's resentment toward Zucker intensified over time, mainly as CNN's coverage of Trump's presidential campaign grew increasingly critical.
Setoodeh's book explores Trump's disillusionment with the Kardashian family following Kim Kardashian's perceived support for Joe Biden. Despite Trump's previous rapport with the Kardashians, he severed ties with them after Kim displayed apparent political alignment with Biden. Trump questioned Kim's motives and criticized her public stance, highlighting his sensitivity to perceived disloyalty from former allies.
In 2023, Trump criticized a newly released book by ABC's Jonathan Karl, "Tired of Winning," in a social media post. He disputed a claim in the book that suggested he sought Kim Kardashian's help to bring football players to the White House in exchange for prison commutations. Trump called Kardashian the "most overrated celebrity" and labeled the story as fake news.
In summary, Setoodeh's book provides insights into Trump's interactions, behavior, and attitude behind the scenes. Through interviews and revelations, the book presents a nuanced portrayal of Trump's Hollywood persona and its implications for his subsequent political career.
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