Is it a reality show? Donald Trump enters 2016 presidential fray

By Lynn R. Mitchell
[Originally posted March 16, 2015. Today Donald Trump, 69, announced he is a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States so it’s a good time to look back at this post I wrote three months ago today.]

Here’s a little game of “what if?”

Donald Trump did not renew his contract with NBC for another season of his very popular The Apprentice television reality show that is produced by Mark Burnett. If you haven’t heard of Burnett, you have probably heard of at least one of his shows: The Apprentice, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Voice, Survivor, Shark Tank, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, and the People’s Choice Awards, among others.

Mark Burnett and The Donald have worked together through 14 seasons of The Apprentice. What if they cooked up a new reality show about running for President of the United States that would have cameras following Trump everywhere he went as he “explored” his chances of success?

It’s not out of the question. There have been reality shows with much less substance.

The quotes from Trump are already made-for-TV ready:

“I am the only one who can make America truly great again.”

“I have a great love for our country, but it is a country that is in serious trouble.”

“Americans deserve better than what they get from their politicians who are all talk and no action.”

Just think: when Trump appears at the Chesterfield County Republican Committee’s annual Lincoln-Reagan fundraising dinner in April, he may be trailed by cameras filming for the next reality TV series.

The Donald, who owns Trump Vineyards and Winery outside Charlottesville, Virginia, has stirred the political pot of controversy which is why few take him seriously as a candidate, most notably his joining that group of “birthers” questioning the President’s birth certificate and U.S. citizenship. Trump is, after all, an anti-establishment contender in an establishment world of business, money, and success. But Trump is a great entertainer and likes to be the bravado center of attention which is what would make him perfect for such a role a presidential contender.

In the end Republican primary voters would tell Trump, “You’re fired,” and he would then move on to his next endeavor, perhaps leaving behind yet another reality show to rake in more ratings and cash.

What if?

Stay tuned….

Now Trump has declared he is a candidate even though there are still some questions about whether he has filed all the proper paperwork. If it all is part of a reality show, then the drama continues….