An explosive new essay published in Slate On Thursday, former President Donald Trump made new allegations about his behavior on the set ApprenticeA renewed focus on his history of racist comments and mistreatment of women.
The piece, by Bill Pruitt, a former producer of the reality show, claimed that Trump used the N-word to describe a black contestant named Kwame Jackson, and described how he publicly commented on the presence of women.
The allegations are at once shocking … and not. They echo much of what is known about Trump, both from his public behavior and from reports about his private behavior. The piece also revives A past complaint Using racial slurs about the former president, this time provided testimony from a direct source who allegedly witnessed it.
A Trump campaign spokesperson, in response to Pruitt, denied the article’s claims.
Both black voters and women are groups that Trump wants to tap into this year as the 2024 election is expected to be extremely close. Whether the essay changes any voters’ perception of Trump remains to be seen, especially since the version of Trump portrayed in the piece is not so different from his public persona. But while Pruitt’s piece may not affect how voters view the former president, it is putting his troubling track record in the spotlight once more.
Pruitt claims Trump has a record of making uncomfortable statements
Pruitt’s essay focuses on how apprentice The producers managed to make Trump appear as a successful and commanding businessman despite his volatile personality A well-established history of scamming with whom he has worked.
In the piece, Pruitt describes the ways in which editing, offscreen coaching and sets were used to establish Trump’s business acumen and obscure sexist and racist comments he made.
“We cheated. We cheated. No one heard racist and abusive comments or saw her allegedly cheating, bluffing or having her hair blown to the wind,” Pruitt wrote.
Below are some specific examples cited by Pruitt:
- Racist comments: Pruitt said there was a tape of Trump using the N-word to describe Jackson, a black Goldman Sachs banker, as the judges deliberated on who should win the first season. Apprenticeship.
According to Pruitt, Carolyn Kepcher, a Trump staffer who mentored him on the show, argued that Jackson did a strong job with the season finale challenge and deserved to win.
“Yes,” Trump reportedly said, “but, I mean, will America buy a winner?”
Pruitt said that Captur’s face turned red, but the producers and people in the room simply saw the comment and continued to tape. He added that such statements were cut from the show and he does not believe the tapes will ever be released.
- Treatment of women: The article also addresses Trump’s comments about women, including staff and contestants on the show.
Pruitt claimed that Trump blocked a camera operator from getting into an elevator with him, saying he was too “heavy” and openly commented on the other’s appearance, saying, “That’s what I want to see.” She also said that Trump described a contestant as “a …” while pointing to her chest.
- Fraudulent workers: In recent years, there has been a Report No About shorting Trump contractors. Pruitt said he learned this firsthand while filming the show after meeting an architect at Trump National Golf Club, who described being austere for half the cost of his work.
The essay may not change anyone’s mind about Trump, but it’s still important
The problems raised by the piece are many familiar ones.
In office, and on the campaign trail, Trump is well known for his racist comments, including descriptions of Haiti and El Salvador as “lazy” countries and threats of violence. Black Lives Matter protesters. His policies also targeted immigrant families and Promote diversity training in the workplace. Trump’s misconduct has also been long established, with more than 20 women accusing him of sexual misconduct and bombardment. Access Hollywood In the video, he is seen bragging about being sexually assaulted.
The piece treads similar ground. And for many of his core supporters, in particular, these revelations are unlikely to change their support for him.
The article, however, reignites the debate about Trump’s attitudes toward women and minorities because he Attempts to win over major swing voters In 2024. In 2020, suburban women were a major group Encouraged President Joe Biden While Trump made small gains with black male voters in key swing states.
Pruitt’s piece points to Trump’s still-significant vulnerabilities with these groups, and is a reminder of how his history can make his standing with them an uphill battle.
