Listen to Donald Trump plot a whites vs. blacks version of The Apprentice


Back in 2005, when Donald Trump was just a billionaire reality star and not a major party's nominee for president, he went on Howard Stern's radio show to discuss his latest idea for his reality competition, The Apprentice.
"One thing I want to ask your opinion [of]," Trump begins telling Stern, is a "concept thrown out by some person: nine blacks against nine whites." Stern immediately responds, "This I like."
As Stern and his co-host Robin Quivers giggle about the idea — and how it could start a "riot" — Stern interjects to ask Trump whether the nine black contestants would be "very dark-skinned blacks or light-skinned blacks." Trump assures the host there would be an "assortment of blacks," but adds that all nine "whites" would ideally be blonde.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The entire relevant segment of Trump's appearance on Stern's show is below, courtesy of Buzzfeed News. Take a listen, and keep your ears perked for Trump's explanation of how the controversial concept would have been "handled very beautifully by me." Kimberly Alters
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
5 low ratings cartoons about the Late Show cancellation
Cartoons Artists take on early warning signs, the Gen Z stare, and more
-
Connie Francis: Superstar of the early 1960s pop scene
In the Spotlight The 'Pretty Little Baby' and 'Stupid Cupid' singer has died aged 87
-
Crossword: July 26, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein