Former “The Apprentice” contestant Gene Folkes has come forward with allegations of disrespectful behavior by Donald Trump towards Black people during his time on the reality show in 2010. Folkes claims Trump called him inarticulate and accused him of illiteracy, leading to a confrontation at a bar inside Trump Tower where Trump made a comment implying a racial stereotype. These allegations come as Trump seeks to gain support from African American voters in his third run for the presidency. The accusations raise questions about whether any of Trump’s behavior was caught on tape.
Bill Pruitt, a former producer on “The Apprentice,” recently alleged that Trump used a racist slur to refer to a Black contestant, Kwame Jackson, during a meeting on the show. A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign has denied this claim, calling it false and politically motivated. President Joe Biden’s campaign has highlighted Pruitt’s account on social media, drawing attention to Trump’s history of alleged racist behavior and comments. Trump has been plagued by charges of racism throughout his career, from a discrimination lawsuit in the 1970s to his involvement in promoting the false conspiracy theory about President Obama’s birthplace.
Trump’s association with “The Apprentice” has been central to his political rise, presenting him to millions as a symbol of power and success. The show, which aired from 2004 to 2015, featured contestants from various backgrounds competing in business challenges to win a job with Trump’s organization. Despite calls for unaired footage to be released, both the show’s producer and the network have refused to do so, citing contractual agreements and non-disclosure agreements signed by cast and crew members. Folkes believes his interactions with Trump were recorded as he was wearing a microphone at the time.
As the allegations resurface, some former contestants and crew members of “The Apprentice” have expressed concerns about how contractual agreements may have insulated Trump from repercussions regarding his behavior on the show. Folkes received a cease-and-desist order from NBC after blogging about his experience on the show, threatening to recover $1 million if he continued discussing his participation in the series. While Trump’s campaign has dismissed the allegations as fake and politically motivated, Folkes has stood by his claims of racial insensitivity and stereotyping directed at him by Trump.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Trump’s behavior on “The Apprentice” is further fueled by recent accounts from former insiders, including producer Bill Pruitt, who recalled a disturbing incident involving the use of a racist slur by Trump. Despite denials by Trump’s campaign, these allegations have reignited debates about Trump’s racist behavior and rhetoric, particularly as he seeks to appeal to African American voters in his latest presidential campaign. The renewed scrutiny sheds light on the complex intersection of pop culture, politics, and race in the context of Trump’s television persona and political aspirations. Voices from within the show, including former contestants and producers, continue to share their experiences and perspectives on Trump’s conduct behind the scenes.
