Yesterday, TGATP was honored to be in attendance when six of Donald Trump’s former Apprentice contestants came together to speak out against the GOP front-runner’s suitability for a presidential bid. Dr. Randal Pinkett, 2004 Season 4 winner of The Apprentice and the only person of color to win, joined former contenders from the reality television series—Kevin Allen, Tara Dowdell, Marshawn Evans Daniels, Kwame Jackson and James Sun—in a important discussion on the dangers posed by Trump’s ascendancy in light of his racist, sexist, xenophobic and generally insensitive tone that has been divisive and extremely dangerous for America.
The press conference was timed to be in advance of the New York State presidential primary on April 19. The goal of the former Apprentice contestants is simple: to use their collective voice to make a difference and fire The Apprentice politician.
“We acknowledge Donald’s success as a businessman, and genuinely appreciate the opportunity The Apprentice afforded all of us,” says Dr. Randal Pinkett, winner of Season 4 of the show. “We, however, strongly condemn Donald’s campaign of sexism, xenophobia, racism, violence and hate.”
Trump said Tuesday night the political system is “stacked against me” and accused the Republican Party of conspiring to stop him from clinching the party’s nomination according to CNN. Former Apprentices believe quite the opposite.
“Clearly, what ‘makes America great’ is a unified commitment to inclusion and moving forward. Winning a race isn’t all that’s at stake here. Trump is passionately and strategically reigniting a dirty and divisive culture soaked in a history of prejudice, fear and hate. It is unpatriotic, anti-American, self-serving, regressive and downright lazy,” adds Season 4 contender Marshawn Evans Daniels. “That’s not leadership. It’s the very definition and ugly manifestation of cowardice.”
“This is not a partisan statement. We believe the American people have a right to be as informed as they can be regarding such a successful presidential candidate,” says Kevin Allen from Season 2. “With so much on the line, we have a duty to share with the American people our unique perspective of the man. We speak as Americans, not Democrats, Republicans or otherwise.”
Tara Dowdell, Season 3 contestant on The Apprentice, says: “It would be irresponsible for us not to condemn his (Donald Trump’s) hateful rhetoric given its real world implications particularly the racial resentment and accompanying violence that we have seen at his rallies.” And, Kwame Jackson, Season 1 runner-up states: “America is at a tipping point in its demographic identity, social contract and fear of economic dislocation. Into that void and vacuum of uncertainty and fear has stepped Mr. Trump, stoking the flames of our worst demons to the chagrin of our better angels and cherished ideals for a more perfect union.”
James Sun, runner-up from Season 6, says: “Some of Mr. Trump’s comments on immigration are flat out wrong. Making America great again without recognizing the impact of what immigrants have done is backwards. I hope that Donald Trump will adjust his message to help every U.S. citizen recognize we are also Global citizens. It is not a right but rather a privilege, to live in this country, so therefore we should embrace people of all colors, religions and backgrounds to achieve this American dream.”
Pinkett sums it up for the group saying, “As alums of The Apprentice, we have had the opportunity to work with Donald in various capacities, including as employees of the Trump Organization. Based on that experience and Donald’s campaign, we do not believe he is worthy of becoming President of the United States.”
Join the Conversation: @randalpinkett, @mstaradowdell, @marshawnevans, @kwameinc, @james3sun
