Former NBC marketing chief John D. Miller has made strong statements about his role in Donald Trump’s rise to fame through the reality TV show The Apprentice.
In a recent essay published in U.S. News & World Report, Miller expressed his regret for having contributed to the creation of Trump's public image, whom he considers a "monster."
Miller, who led the promotional campaign for the show, admitted that the series helped to build the narrative of Trump as a highly successful businessman living a life of luxury.
However, he himself acknowledges that this portrayal was, at best, a considerable exaggeration. Through The Apprentice, what he calls "fake news" about Trump's figure spread, making him a household name beyond New York.
Donald's hidden failures
The former executive detailed that, despite the glorified image presented on the show, Trump had faced multiple business failures, including four bankruptcies before his appearance on television.
John describes the former president as a "manipulative" person but at the same time "extraordinarily easy to manipulate," qualities that he associates with his authoritarian tendencies and his behavior during the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 elections.
In addition, he did not hesitate to criticize the influence that The Apprentice had on American politics. He concluded his essay by endorsing Kamala Harris, suggesting that the country would be "better off" under her leadership compared to Donald.
It states that the perception that Trump could be a better option for Americans is actually an illusion similar to the one promoted by the successful television show.
According to followers on social media, John's statements highlight how the media can shape public perception and the implications of this influence on contemporary politics.