As allegations about Donald Trump’s disrespectful behavior towards Black people resurface, Gene Folkes, a former contestant on “The Apprentice,” reported that Trump made racially derogatory comments towards him and another Black contestant during his time on the show. Fresh allegations include claims that Trump used a racist slur to refer to Kwame Jackson, another Black contestant. Trump has long denied such claims and has faced accusations of racism throughout his career, from a discrimination lawsuit in 1973 to his promotion of the “birther” conspiracy theory against President Barack Obama.
Despite these allegations, Trump’s association with “The Apprentice” remains central to his biography. The show exposed Trump to millions of viewers as a symbol of power and success, and he launched his first presidential campaign from the building where the show was filmed. Trump has faced criticism for his conduct on the show, including footage in which he made lewd remarks about women. Despite calls for unaired footage to be released, contractual agreements with the show’s producer and network have prevented this from happening.
Former producer Bill Pruitt recently came forward with claims that Trump used a racist slur towards a Black contestant during the show’s filming. Pruitt’s non-disclosure agreement expired this year, allowing him to speak out about the incident. Trump’s campaign has vehemently denied the allegations, accusing Biden’s allies of trying to undermine Trump’s support among Black voters. Trump has also made efforts to appeal to Black voters by highlighting Biden’s policies, suggesting that his criminal charges can resonate with Black communities.
While some former contestants on “The Apprentice” have not experienced negative interactions with Trump, others, such as Randal Pinkett, have accused Trump of racially insensitive behavior. Pinkett, who is Black, claimed that Trump asked him to share his title with a white contestant, which he interpreted as racially motivated behavior. The show has been a source of controversy for Trump, and calls for unaired footage to be released continue to circulate as the debate over Trump’s treatment of Black people persists.
As Trump seeks to make inroads with African American voters in his third run for the White House, the allegations of racially derogatory behavior towards Black people on “The Apprentice” have resurfaced. The show remains central to Trump’s image and political rise, despite ongoing accusations of racism and discriminatory behavior. The debate over Trump’s conduct on the show may continue to impact his political fortunes and influence how he is perceived by voters, particularly in the upcoming presidential election.
