Trump’s campaign skills don’t work in White House, says ex-Celebrity Apprentice contestant

Former “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Penn Jillette said in an interview that aired Thursday on “Rising” that President Trump’ skills for getting elected are not working for him in running the country. 

“What I thought was a real plus as a reality television star, a real plus is the absence of a filter and absolute certainty on everything. You want to say [what] pops into your head, and you never want to back down on what you said. That’s really good entertainment,” Jillette, a magician, told Hill.TV’s Buck Sexton earlier this month. 

“I think that the reality skills that got him [Trump] elected are not the best skillset for running a country this important, or that used to be this important,” he continued. 

Jillette also said that if he did not know Trump personally, he would be happier with his job in office.

“The fact that I know him, and kind of know his skill set, I’m not as thrilled with him. If I was more of an outsider, I’d be happier,” he said. “What he’s done I can’t even pay attention to the policies because the celebration of hate on both sides is so great,” he said. 

Jillette appeared on seasons five and six of “Celebrity Apprentice,” which Trump hosted. 

The magician claimed in August that Trump had made racially insensitive remarks on the show. 

“He would say racially insensitive things that made me uncomfortable,” Jillette told Vulture. “I don’t think he ever said anything in that room like ‘African Americans are inferior’ or anything about rape or grabbing women, but of those two hours every other day in a room with him, every ten minutes was fingernails on chalkboard.”

— Julia Manchester


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