Gene Folkes was a former contestant on “The Apprentice” who was insulted by Donald Trump during his time on the reality show. Trump made derogatory comments about Folkes’ literacy and called him inarticulate. Folkes was consoled by a crew member after being fired, but Trump later made racist comments at a bar inside Trump Tower. Trump’s disrespectful behavior towards Black people has resurfaced as he seeks to make inroads with African American voters in his third run for the White House.
Fresh allegations have emerged about Trump’s behavior towards Black people on “The Apprentice,” including the use of a racist slur to refer to a Black contestant. Despite denials from Trump’s campaign, former producers and contestants have come forward with accounts of his inappropriate behavior. Trump has a history of racism allegations, from a discrimination lawsuit against his real estate business to his involvement in the Central Park Five case. His first campaign in 2016 was overshadowed by allegations about his conduct, including a tape where he boasted about sexually assaulting women.
“The Apprentice” played a central role in shaping Trump’s public image as a symbol of power and success. The show presented Trump Tower as a prominent backdrop before he launched his political career. Despite attempts to uncover unaired footage or recordings of Trump’s behavior on the show, legal agreements and contractual obligations have limited the release of such material. Former contestants like Gene Folkes have faced threats of legal action if they speak out about their experiences on the show.
A recent account from a former producer, Bill Pruitt, alleged that Trump used a racist slur to refer to a Black contestant during a meeting on the show. Pruitt’s non-disclosure agreement recently expired, allowing him to come forward with these claims. Despite pushback from Trump’s campaign, some former contestants and crew members are speaking out about their experiences with Trump. The show’s association with NBC and its subsequent acquisition by Amazon have complicated efforts to release unaired footage or recordings of Trump’s behavior.
While some former contestants, like Barry Folkes, have experienced reputation damage as a result of their time on “The Apprentice,” others have not reported negative experiences with Trump. However, Trump’s behavior towards Black contestants, such as his treatment of winner Randal Pinkett, has been questioned and criticized. The ongoing allegations of racism and inappropriate behavior continue to fuel debates about Trump’s character and suitability for political leadership.
As Trump seeks re-election and Biden campaigns for a second term, the allegations of racism and inappropriate behavior on “The Apprentice” have resurfaced. Both campaigns are using these accounts to sway voters, particularly within the Black community. While some former contestants have not experienced negative interactions with Trump, others have come forward with accounts of racist language and behavior. The ongoing debate about Trump’s character and treatment of Black people remains a contentious issue in the political landscape.
