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The Apprentice: Your Civic Duty
Well, I’m still mighty skeptical, but you’ve convinced me that I can no longer dismiss as totally lunatic the rumor that Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders won the New Hampshire primaries. So this brings me to an interesting problem, as a concerned and responsible citizen.
Sounds like you think there’s a non-zero chance that Trump could be the Republican presidential nominee. Okay, I believe it. Time to take that idea seriously.
But it’s very difficult to figure out what he would really do in office based on his past experience in office, since he hasn’t got one. I literally can’t make sense of his stream-of-consciousness speeches. He’s gonna be tough, he’s gonna be smart, he’s gonna build a wall, he’s gonna take care of everyone and it’s all going to go quickly, but I truly don’t understand what he’s proposing to do. I mean that. Not being snide, and certainly not dismissing the concerns of people who support him, because I agree that if so many Americans think he speaks for them, it’s urgently important to understand why and what they want. I truly, literally, mean that I don’t get what he’s saying, because it makes no sense to me as a plan or as something a president has the constitutional power to do.
There seems to be a non-zero chance, now, that I’ll have to choose between him and Bernie Sanders. Sanders makes quite good sense and is very specific about what he plans to do — and he plans to do things that I believe would be a very, very bad idea. So, and I’m being quite serious, here, I think it’s time for me to try to figure out how Donald Trump views the world. And I don’t think reading The Art of the Deal is the key, though I’ve ordered it. I think, very seriously, that watching all 14 seasons of The Apprentice would give me a much better insight.
I’m halfway through the first season. My first impression is that I don’t know why this show was a hit. If Trump weren’t the GOP front runner, I’d never have finished the first episode. I’m not saying this out of any kind of snobbery: I love trashy TV, and I was absolutely gripped to the first season of Survivor, to the point of racing home every week on Wednesday night in order not to miss it. So I was thinking, “Well, at least this will be fun.”
But it’s not, so far. It’s badly edited and paced, very boring, and there are no likeable characters in it yet. I want them all to lose. They’re all screechy, boastful, obnoxious, obsequious to Trump and mean to each other, and they’re all unsympathetic, which to my mind is a huge dramatic mistake. If there’s not a single character you can like, you don’t care who wins, so there’s no dramatic tension, so far. Nor has Trump so far made himself seem like a fair, wise, or judicious judge of talent, or someone who obviously surrounds himself with reliable advisors, which of course is what I’m looking for, given the circumstances.
But I don’t want to prejudice you unfairly, so beyond saying that I’m only on Episode Five, and maybe it gets better (no spoilers, please), I’ll just note that the editing is 97th-rate. The pacing is off, it gets very boring, very fast, and it’s not the guilty pleasure I’d hoped.
Still, I mean it: I think it’s now a civic duty to watch it. Because we might really have to decide whether he’d at least do a better job than the socialist.
Will you join me? I’d like to discuss it with other people who are wondering what on earth this man would do in a job where, as Eliot Cohen put it, he’ll “face the most difficult international environment in more than half a century, but without the economic and military edge that we can see—only in retrospect, admittedly—Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy could take for granted.” He’d be making decision after decisions that affects every corner of the planet based only on instinct and a small group of trusted advisors, so the way he approaches such decisions is quite important. Here’s the first episode. What do you take from it?
I realize this isn’t like reading Churchill’s memoirs, but it’s really all we’ve got, isn’t it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjaYqk59y0g
Published in Entertainment, General, Politics
I feel the same exact way. Other than the protectionism Trump’s platform positions haven’t been that bad. But the persona is skeevy.
Of course I have no faith he will keep those platform positions. He’s a Republican of convenience. We throw around the term RINO, but Trump is a true RINO.
You haven’t been paying attention.
Such as? What have I missed?
He cares about his own businesses and investments. As a crony capitalist, he would prefer his buddies and sycophants over other citizens in economic policies, not caring about justice. But he would try to lower taxes on some industries and might even try to be a people’s hero by aiding lower classes in some ways. He might attack corporate taxes to an extent Republicans never dared. The point is, good or bad overall, his economic policies would not be strictly progressive and universally horrible.
He gets that Islam is a threat, even if that understanding lacks depth or nuance. He’s open about it, which is an improvement over most Republicans. His solutions would probably leave much to be desired. But our enemies would certainly not assume he’s a pushover who will not employ military force. He might even do what Republicans typically fail to do in military matters: insist on quick, harsh strikes that acknowledge modern Americans’ distaste and distrust of long meandering wars with no objectives and preference for foreign peoples.
His speech would be boorish and would indeed embarrass us. Yet he would continue to undermine political correctness, which is terribly destructive of liberty here at home, and his threats to our enemies would be taken seriously.
Basically, like a barbaric and more impulsive Newt Gingrich, Trump is a grab bag of ideas who would simultaneously do great damage and accomplish admirable feats beyond the timid wills of typical Republicans.
He’s not embarrassing because he’s boorish, he’s embarrassing because he’s embarrassing. Things like answering, “You realize, don’t you, that Putin’s humiliating you,” with, “I consider real leadership to be going to a climate change conference in Paris.” In addition to being terrifying, that’s deeply embarrassing.
Exactly. You are my hero, Claire. To sacrifice your wellbeing to view his show is either courageous, or you are a glutton for punishment. I can barely watch his speeches, but you go for it! I will anxiously await your conclusions–unless they are even more depressing than what we’ve already seen.
The entire comment from Aaron cannot be liked too much as a great insight into what so many Americans see in Trump. He is an ***hole, yes. But we are tired of mealy-mouthed politicians. I’m not voting Trump in the primary. I liked Fiorina, but by the time we vote in Kentucky I’m assuming my choices will be Trump and Cruz. But in the general I will eagerly vote for Trump, if he wins the primary, over any Democrat. It will not bother me in the least if Trump is carried into office by a coalition of people from both parties who, while knowing he is an ***hole, realize that having Trump instead of Bernie, Hilary or Lonesome Joe will still be better for America. Lincoln’s suspension of habeas corpus didn’t destroy the country. I don’t think Trump will either. And as many have noted, I believe a Republican Congress is more likel;y to stand up to and reign in Trump than they will Hillary. Because typical Republican congress members are more afraid of the media than the Republican base.
As to foreign perception of America due to a Trump presidency? The CoC prevents me from commenting on that.
Yes, this is part of what’s confusing me about it — trying to figure out whether Trump is wittingly or unwittingly playing a laughable role. I’d guess the producers appreciate how grotesque the show makes all of the characters appear, and the underlying moral message of, “This is not what’s meaningful in life.” But does Trump?
Why, what do you think it would be? I think it would be terrible. Another four years of being perceived as weak and detached from reality will be immensely dangerous.
I have not read it. Generally, I find that public figures are more honest early in their careers, and less so as they pursue higher office/power/fame and/or try to protect their position. Like Obama’s autobiographies, I think Trump’s books could be very revealing.
I applaud Claire and her proposed civic duty exercise (although I will wait until after the South Carolina primary results). I believe there is only a small window for Senator Cruz to still make this a contest and I will keep hoping for that. Unfortunately, he must win South Carolina or I do believe the Trump Train will be unstoppable.
I blame government schools. And the media. And the decades in the making effect of both on the steep decline of the religiosity and education of the American electorate. In 1980, “Character Was King” (props to Peggy Noonan). In 2016, not so much.
I blame the Democrats for wearing out the country on stupid things like “climate change.” Last night I was thinking, “My poor country is going to cave in on single-payer healthcare because it just sounds easier. My fellow Americans are just plain exhausted.”
I think that is largely Trump’s appeal. He strikes people as the guy they hire to “just fix it.” They don’t care anymore how it gets done.
An earlier comment pointed out that ‘liking’ these people isn’t necessary, and it applies equally to presidential candidates. I don’t ‘like’ Trump, but then again I don’t like most politicians, nor is that the point.
I watched the first season, and the Celebrity Apprentice that included Adam Carolla and Penn Jillette.
Trump is somewhat fair, but he’s also capricious. He has a very strict ethical code, surprising to some. He is partial to scrappers and fighters and people who don’t give up. He is very partial to appearances and perception and as best as I can tell, will reward a contestant for being compelling rather than in the right. Of course, it’s difficult to tell who is ‘right’ so without a preponderance of evidence, he will fire the most expendable. There is a very strange balance between leadership and teamwork in his mind and losing is always on the leaders’ shoulders unless he/she can prove they were undermined or betrayed in some way. He often seeks consensus and validation from others when making decisions.
Still, it’s a reality show and controversial characters tend to remain for ratings sake. Omarosa is the perfect example.
Too many people want to invest personal feelings into their leaders. We want to be proud of our leaders. I’m not like that any more.
I worked for Trump in the 90’s at two of his casinos. Here’s a story.
Thank you for this post Claire. I will have to pass on watching Apprentice.
I. Just. Can’t. Do. It.
However, in reading your post, and all the comments so far, I have decided, if Trump stays true to his reality-show persona, maybe one good thing he can do, if elected President, is to FIRE all the fools who magnify and compound the boondoggles embedded into this behemoth bureaucracy that is our federal government.
Since socialism is wholly dishonest and fundamentally immoral, it’s hard to find a political system, or policy, that’s worse.
Trump isn’t socialist, he’s Trumpist. I can deal with that. And so can a Republican-majority House and Senate. We won’t get the recovery and progress we need, but at least he’ll stop the
ProgressiveDemocratic Party’s destruction. He may implement (or try to) his own damage, but most of that will be de novo rather than extending the already done destruction.A note on The Apprentice. It’s also, unfortunately, a sub rosa note on the generation of TV viewers who liked the show.
Whether by design or by instinct of the show’s creator, this is the show’s success. They are all unlikable, and the viewers, like slowing down to gawk at a bloody car wreck, are rooting for someone to lose, to see their favorite hatee become the object of Trump’s consummate contempt and the target of his favorite phrase.
Eric Hines
I don’t think we will be seen as weak and unpredictable. Not that I want this in my president, but I think we’ll be seen as the crazy drunk weightlifter at a party. The one who is strong enough to do you real damage, and crazy drunk enough that you have no idea what will set him off.
As for not being CoC compliant, I cannot use too many epithets to state my feelings of how sick and tired I am of anyone worrying or caring about how America is perceived overseas. As Tom Clancy noted in Executive Orders, I am tired of worrying about how American actions will be perceived. It is about time foreign countries worried about how their actions will be perceived with the American government.
We watched every season as they aired–my husband, who runs his own business, was absolutely glued to it.
Two tips–remember, this is television. Edited, possibly scripted…television. It was his show, he co-produced it, he featured his own properties, products, children, family, etc. After a few years of regular apprentice, he went to Celebrity Apprentice, which was actually more interesting. He took people who were, quite often, washed up in their prior occupations, or down on their luck, and provided them with an opportunity. It was uneven, sure, but fascinating nonetheless. And, of course, there’s Omarosa.
The best part of each episode is the boardroom at the end. This is where you get insight into The Donald and, perhaps more importantly, the people with which he surrounds himself. I found George Ross, Trump’s legal adviser, to be profoundly capable. His children in the later episodes come off very well. The incredibly brief snippets at the very end–after all the contestants in whatever season had left the boardroom–can tell you a lot about him.
Give it a chance.
I never knew that Claire would put up with torture.
I’m never voting for Trump, period, end of story. He needs to lose ignominiously, period. If he were somehow put into office due to a collective national descent into psychosis, it is the duty of patriotic Americans, at the same time as creating a new center-right political party as the new home for most Republicans, to block all of his insane ideas, a la Obama. If he actually were to propose a decent policy, stopped clocks and all that, OK.
But we will be headed back to 1856 in such an event.
Claire – I never got into The Apprentice much and hate reality TV because its not reality – its for ratings, staged and quite frankly, I have no time to watch much TV. So I am with you – I want to know more about Trump as well – I think I will look at his history as a businessman, and anything else I can find. If Carson were in his place, I would do the same. I want to read the frontrunners’ campaign sites too.
We have email scandal following the other candidate with serious fallout, the current- in- chief promising to empty the coffers and add a couple more trillion to the debt before he leaves, a very screwed up healthcare system with details that are starting to emerge, kids of voting age who like the idea of socialism (even though they don’t know what it is) – better go have a hamburger and coke (don’t forget that French side dish fries) and take a few deep breaths…..it’s going to be a crazy year!
Between men wearing really nice suits because they are in business and make their money that way, and men who started wearing really nice suits after they got into government, I know which ones I prefer.
Remittences from the US to Mexico now exceed Mexican oil revenue….
I have yet to be convinced that Trump himself has any firm plans on what he would do if he were to be elected President, it seems to me that he has not thought that far ahead. Trump does not appear to have serious plans or a governing philosophy he has… instincts and a talent for populism.
If he were elected and ended up playing it entirely by ear this would not surprise me in the least. He seems to enjoy acting on the spur of the moment as opposed to planning ahead.
As much as I enjoy binge-watching, I don’t think I could binge-watch this. I might look at a couple of episodes.
I admire your willingness to take one for the team. You’re a better person than I.
Sure does seem to me that he’s a divider, not a uniter.
That’s her name! Yes, she’s the only memorable one. But I don’t like her.
Claire–
I picked up the first season for a three bucks a few months ago, watched four episodes, and haven’t gotten around to watching it again. (Most of the TV I like to watch is sporting events.) That said, Omarosa is quite memorable. I’ve heard several people refer to someone being difficult as having an Omarosa moment.
I agree that the apprentices are a generally unlikable bunch. But what stands out to me is that in each episode, Trump is the adult in the room. He and his consiglieres strike me as people you’d trust to run your business. If that show was your first experience with the Donald—not the tabloid scandals and the run for president—then I could see why people would like him. And given that the first season had 20 million regular viewers, I’d imagine some of them are his core support now.
That seems like really wishful thinking to me. Putin’s laughing himself senseless, and every time he says “our Internet,” I reckon Chinese hackers collapse in giggles.
Great story — click on it, everyone, if you haven’t.
I’m not wishing for it. I just think that he is as loose a cannon as we’ve ever seen run for President. And yet, he is still a better choice than Stalin Lite, the felon in waiting or Vice President McFeely.
How has it come to it that these are our choices? I genuinely don’t understand how a country that produces so much talent and accomplishment in so many fields of endeavor — and that has had so many presidents of towering stature — could be looking at this. We’re laughing, but so bitterly, really laughing through our tears. This is so humiliating, and such a sign of something being so desperately wrong.