In May 2021, Donald J. Trump was in a wounded state. His supporters had caused chaos at the Capitol four months prior, leading to his disgraceful departure from Washington. Despite being abandoned by his party and removed from social media platforms, he found solace in reminiscing about his time as the star of “The Apprentice,” a reality TV show that reshaped television.
Entertainment journalist Ramin Setoodeh approached Trump with the idea of writing a book focusing on his pre-political career. Trump, feeling comfort in discussing his past glory, eagerly granted several interviews for the book titled “Apprentice in Wonderland.”
However, the book portrayed Trump as a lonely and sometimes confused individual, still yearning for celebrity acceptance while craving political power. Setoodeh observed a decline in Trump’s mental sharpness during their interactions, noting struggles with short-term memory.
Trump’s fascination with celebrity culture was evident as he gossiped about various personalities, comparing himself to iconic actors like Clint Eastwood and Marlon Brando. He also shared conspiracy theories about secret voters in Beverly Hills.
Despite his tendency to hold grudges, Trump refrained from speaking negatively about Mark Burnett, the producer of “The Apprentice.” Setoodeh’s interviews with Trump revealed his preoccupation with past episodes of the show, including interactions with controversial contestants like Omarosa Manigault Newman.
Melania Trump also made an appearance in the book, showcasing a humorous moment when Trump fired Dennis Rodman for misspelling her name. Trump’s reflections on his time on “The Apprentice” occasionally led to moments of introspection, where he hinted at accepting the reality of losing the election.
In essence, Trump concluded that success in show business boiled down to one key factor: ratings. This insight allowed him to navigate his career on the show, regardless of his behavior.
