Contestants on Donald Trump's former NBC reality show, "The Apprentice," allegedly underwent sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing, according to a new book. Ramin Setoodeh, co-editor-in-chief of Variety, is the author of "Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass."

STD Testing to Avoid Legal Issues

According to the book, the STD tests were not Trump's idea. Instead, the show's producer, Mark Burnett, was behind the testing. The purpose was to prevent any legal issues that could arise from contestants engaging in sexual activities on set.

Former contestant Bowie Hogg, who appeared in the first season, described the testing as a painful experience. He mentioned that a funnel was inserted into his penis, turned, scraped, and then removed, which he described as the most painful thing he has ever experienced in his life. Hogg was eliminated in Episode 4.

The book suggests that Burnett aimed to protect against legal liabilities related to activities after filming ended each day. Burnett's caution might have been justified, as the show, though not intended for hook-ups, saw an affair between Don Jr. and contestant Aubrey O'Day during Season 5 while he married Vanessa Trump.

Although the claim is alarming, the book points out that similar practices are common in the film industry. As part of the screening process, "The Bachelor" contestants must submit to STD testing. Identically, a 2018 report claimed that contestants on several Bravo reality shows are required to sign an "STD clause," promising not to sue the network if they get an STD.

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Trump's STD Inquiries and Sexual Encounter

In her recent testimony in Trump's hush money case, Stormy Daniels stated that the former president repeatedly inquired about STDs, asking her, "What about testing? Do you worry about STDs?"

Prosecutors claimed that Trump's former attorney paid Daniels a hefty amount of money to keep quiet about her affair with the president. Daniels' reimbursements were allegedly fraudulently documented as legal costs.

Daniels, who works in adult films, recounted in court how she met Trump at a golf event in Lake Tahoe and how he invited her to his hotel room. She described their conversation, his questions about her adult film career, and the eventual encounter. Despite her attempts to leave, she claimed Trump blocked her way, and they had sex. Trump's visible reactions during her testimony prompted the judge to warn him about his behavior.

Trump has strongly denied ever having an affair with Daniels. Trump's defense argued for a mistrial due to the explicit details shared, but the judge rejected the request. The defense also accused Daniels of extortion, which she denied.

Trump's Inappropriate Behavior on Set

The book also contains intriguing revelations about Trump's behavior toward contestants. He frequently objectified female contestants. In one episode involving Home Depot, Trump allegedly told a woman, "I'll show you my nine-inch power tool," although she later denied this. In another instance of "locker room talk," Trump purportedly expressed a desire to have sex with a 26-year-old former beauty queen contestant. This contestant told Setoodeh that Trump unexpectedly kissed her and invited her to his hotel room.

Several contestants interviewed by Setoodeh indicated that racism was prevalent on the show, attributing it to Trump's personal views. Tara Dowdell, a contestant from season 3, recounted how producers encouraged her to act angrily in interviews, seemingly to fit a stereotype of a Black woman. Randall Pinkett, the show's first Black winner, explicitly stated, "I think Donald's a racist," and believed Trump intentionally portrayed Black people negatively.

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