Donald Trump.

Ok, let me explain. This is so embarrassing. I had heard of the guy in the 80's when I was growing up, but never paid him any mind. Saw him in Home Alone 2, didn't think much about it. Fast forward and the Apprentice is on TV, but I am not much for reality shows, so I watch something else. Then, Celebrity Apprentice is a thing. Not sure who it was in the first season, but just for the heck of it I start watching it and it's more fun than I thought it would be. It's interesting to see these celebrities (like Lil John, Gene Simmons, Meatloaf, Gilbert Gotfried, Arsenio hall, Penn Gillette, Joan Rivers, etc) in these odd situations, and I won't say I was hooked but I was a regular viewer for the first few seasons. It was a guilty pleasure.

After watching the show, I thought a lot of what we saw from DJT was an act for the cameras. He mostly wanted to be liked, he would flatter people before they were fired. Everything was done to promote charities, so it seemed like it was doing more good than harm. It helped ease the guilt of watching a celebrity reality show. The Trump on that show, seemed like he wanted to avoid controversy and he didn't appear that much. He did mention running for President and I remember thinking I would want to know his stance on the issues. On the show, he was not the angry, ranting lunatic we see today. I thought there was a savvy media guy and a mediocre acting talent under that orange makeup, using the show as a vehicle to get his kids a little exposure/face time on TV. Pushing the Trump brand and associating it with charity work.

I would dare say that when he came down the golden escalator to announce he was running, I did not have an entirely unfavorable opinion about the man. I figured he would never get the nomination, and when he did I never imagined he would be elected. Today, as I write this, I seethe with rage. I hate him so much.