For nearly 25 years, longtime Westport resident John Miller led marketing at NBC and NBCUniversal.
As part of his job, he headed the team that marketed “The Apprentice.” That’s the reality TV show that, John writes, “made Donald Trump a household name outside of New York City, where he was better known for overextending his empire and appearing in celebrity gossip columns.”
In a mid-October Facebook post, Miller described his experiences with Trump
He said he had plenty of stories. They were “revealing and disturbing … too many to go into here.”
He then posted to LinkedIn. That story went viral.
US News & World Report reached out to Miller. They other day, they published Miller’s op-ed.
It begins: “I want to apologize to America. I helped create a monster.”
To sell the show, he writes,
we created the narrative that Trump was a super-successful businessman who lived like royalty. That was the conceit of the show. At the very least, it was a substantial exaggeration; at worst, it created a false narrative by making him seem more successful than he was.
In fact, Trump declared business bankruptcy four times before the show went into production, and at least twice more during his 14 seasons hosting. The imposing board room where he famously fired contestants was a set, because his real boardroom was too old and shabby for TV.
Trump may have been the perfect choice to be the boss of this show, because more successful CEOs were too busy to get involved in reality TV and didn’t want to hire random game show winners onto their executive teams. Trump had no such concerns. He had plenty of time for filming, he loved the attention and it painted a positive picture of him that wasn’t true.
That’s just the start of Miller’s piece.
He calls his team’s “highly exaggerated image” of Trump “‘fake news’ that we spread over America like a heavy snowstorm.
“I never imagined that the picture we painted of Trump as a successful businessman would help catapult him to the White House.”
In his interactions with Trump, Miller found him “manipulative, yet extraordinarily easy to manipulate.”
John Miller
The NBC executive calls him “thin-skinned,” averse to fact-checking, and exhibiting questionable judgment. (One example: Trump pitched an idea of season 4 for “The Apprentice”: a team of Black players competing against a team of whites.)
Despite his successful marketing job, Miller says, “we also did irreparable harm by creating the false image of Trump as a successful leader. I deeply regret that. And I regret that it has taken me so long to go public.”
He concludes:
I spent 50 years successfully promoting television magic, making mountains out of molehills every day. But I say now to my fellow Americans, without any promotional exaggeration: If you believe that Trump will be better for you or better for the country, that is an illusion, much like “The Apprentice” was.
Even if you are a born-and-bred Republican, as I was, I strongly urge you to vote for Kamala Harris. The country will be better off and so will you.
Miller was interviewed on CNN and MSNBC. Vanity Fair picked up the story.
A clip on TikTok has been viewed over 2 million times.
Steve Schmidt — the former Republican campaign strategist turned Never Trumper — interviewed Miller for 40 minutes.
Many readers and viewers praised Miller. But there was plenty of criticism — and not only from Trump’s supporters. Those who oppose the former president wondered why Miller took so long to speak up.
Tomorrow, the final votes will be cast. Will the one-time “Apprentice” star, and former President of the United States, be renewed for another 4 years?
Stay tuned.
To read John Miller’s full US News & World Report story, click here. To see a social media post, click here.
Thank you, John miller, for being the only “local,” important person to have the loyalty to America, and the concern for the future of our democratic republic to speak out against Trump…our Republican government leader and her Republican sidekick have shown no such fealty, nor has any other local Republican. Accolades to you, Mr. Miller and shame on them.
Bless your heart for your attempt to dispense with political vitriol in our community. If you knw, you know…
thabk you John Miller for the courage to speak out.
Courage…LOL
like president bone spurs
Too bad to see 06880.com feel the need to push a political agenda…
Political agenda my ass, Michael…the agenda of John Miller, not Dan Woog, is to save democracy from the threat he knows he created…wake the f— up!
Only an unhinged liberal — no, an unhinged party — could call one candidate a threat to democracy, while the other candidate was promoted to the nomination without a single vote from an actual voter. Ya, that definitely sounds like democracy to me.
LBJ said he wouldn’t run again in March. They only had a few months to consolidate around the person who would run. I can’t remember how that evolved. Biden was too old and Trump is too old. Both men have significantly deteriorated both physically and mentally in the last five years. I’m 77 and I’m not what I was like at age 71 or 72. I have a picture from my 70th birthday and I didn’t have one gray hair on my head and I had much more energy!
I’m 86 and I don’t have a gray hair on my head either. Nor do I have a white one!
Uh, what I meant to say was “Nor do I have a black one.” Maybe I’m just acting my age….
You know what sounds like a threat to democracy? Directing an unhinged mob to attack the US Capitol and its personnel to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Or, do you believe 1/6/21 was just a day of love? Or just normal tourist activity? And where were you on that day?
Oh the mouth (and the mind) on you Dan (Katz, not Woog). When Dan (Woog not Katz) sees this you’ll wish this crummy cheapskate WordPress app enabled you to edit your postings). Not a good look for the children of Westport.
how is the look of grab woman by the P ?
Michael, 06880 is quality entertainment and every good entertainer knows he must play to the audience that supports him.
He’s a local. Dan comments on people who live in Westport.
That’s why we ex-pats post comments Jack. We don’t have skin in the game anymore. We just do it because we remember Westport as the Camelot it once was.
The crazy thing about this election is that most people are trying to solve for who they dislike the least. Politics have just failed America. It has created such disharmony between people that almost agree on most issues and this past year has made everybody fight like cats and dogs. Have a run through Congress and you will see more millionaires that become career politicians and literally couldn’t get a job doing anything else. Their only job is to stay in office. On both sides of the fence Democrat or Republican, they all walk away with plenty of money and very little success to show of their careers. Regardless of Trump, you could bring in any well-known celebrity from the Kardashians to the Rock, and they may win as Americans are fed up. Most people that have jobs and live in Westport keep less than $.50 for every dollar they make and then politicians with salaries of $200,000 walk away as multi millionaires, some worth hundreds of millions. All we get is ground level fighting on who is better, yet nothing changes. This is all so painful and like many, cannot wait until the election is over and pray that we find a common ground and better place, then we get back to only talking about our kids sports, new great restaurants, succesful charity events, westport playhouse, and fixing traffic!
Adam, I agree with you. It’s all about the money. Both sides have sold out. That’s just my opinion.
Strange, what one person does what he thinks is motivated by concern for America. I too, am concerned, but because I see what’s happening now, and am very worried things will get worse, here and in the rest of the world. We’re on a precipice and China is standing behind us.
I wonder if John Miller is related to John Miller, (who we called Kit Miller) that lived on North Maple Avenue basically across the street from Stahursky? He had an older sister named Holly. It’s worth a shot to ask. This was maybe 1959-ish.
I’m so happy for Mr. Miller that he’s been able to absolve himself of the guilt he’s been ridden with all this time. However, I worry the only way for him to truly redeem himself would be to return all the money he made off of this “orange devil”. Perhaps a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, or Tunnels To Towers. Now THAT would be soul-cleansing.
I strongly doubt this will happen.
Incidentally, Dan, why not run a “story” about the dozens — yes dozens — of Kamala staffers who have quit while she’s pretended to be vp the last four years, due to her abusive nature.
Thanks for the story idea, Robert. If any of those staffers have a Westport connection, I’m happy to. Please send them my way.
Dan, Only run the story if they have a Westport connection.
Jack, just because your family once owned half the Post Rd doesn’t give you the right to tell Dan how to run his blog. We expats enjoy our visiting privileges because Dan appreciates that our families built Westport. We know where the skeletons are buried. It’s an uneasy truce but it’s worked for over 50 years.
Perhaps you can expand and substantiate your “story” of dozens of Kamala staffers being “abused . . .
My “story” ?
You seem like you might be an adult…use the internet much? Do a quick search for “kamala staffers quit over abusiveness”, you’ll find loads of reading, and no, not from fox news, but from very liberal sources.
Robert:
Do a quick search on “former Trump staffers raise alarms about a second Trump term”.
Enough said.
Over 300 former Harris’ staffers endorsed her candidacy and while her turnover was high as a Senator, she ran her office like a prosecutor would do. Many do not like that. If she was a man, you would say it resulted from being “tough.” Park your sexism elsewhere Mr. Gray please.
Miller thinks the country will be better off with Kamala⁉️
He says he lied to us about Trump‼️ He waited till today to fess up😱 I don’t hold him in high esteem nor value his opinions.
Hey Tom. Do you happen to know when Mexico’s check to pay for the unbuilt border wall cleared the bank?
where isxTeumps health care plan ?
It’s not a “plan”, it’s a “concept”. I also seem to remember constantly blathering on and on about repealing and replacing Obamacare with a new, beautiful plan but whaddaya know, no plan. No border wall, no plan. The only thing he replaced was the ability of every female in the country to maintain their own bodily autonomy.
A reality show was fake? Shocking!
The story was about a Westport resident. If Miller lived in Dallas or Miami, there wouldn’t have been a story on 06880.
Hmm, what party is he affiliated with?
Other news media have reported Mr. Miller is registered as a Republican.
Sure do miss the days when you could disagree with someone but still respect them as a person…anyone else agree?
I miss the days when I didn’t have neighbors who would support a seditionist in a presidential campaign and didn’t give a shit about the democracy, as long as their preferred candidate was installed. Anyone else agree?
This election, even more than the last two, makes me confident that we should never allow the supporters of the seditionist (and election denier) to just slink off and pretend this all didn’t happen. It makes me think of the end of “Inglorious Basterds.” Trump supporters should own their behavior for the rest of their lives.
Love thy neighbor Chris. I have no animosity towards you.✌️
Reading your blog as a former Westport Native and retired Deputy Fire Marshal for the WFD I share some thoughts with you and your readers. I believe you were in my sister Donnas’ Staples High School class. I’m Michael Gilbertie and my father was one of the many “Legal Immigrants” along with so many other immigrants i.e.. Irish, Polish and Jews etc. who assimilated to the US and built Westport. I am very saddened to see what Westport has evolved into which is a deep blue liberal town. This guy Miller posted his liberal biased opinion about Trump and never mentioned the countless negatives of Kamala Harris (she is dangerous). I’m not trying to sway anyone’s opinion about Trump; I only ask how can someone’s hatred for Trump be so powerful that they would trade it over love for America?
why did trumps Secretary of State call Trump a f n moron? why did the vfw condemn trumps comments on congressional Medal of Honor? Why did his 4 star generals Milley Kelly and 400 people of his appointed staff say Trump is a danger to democracy. ? why didn’t his vice president refuse to endorse Trump.? why hasn’t Niley Hailey campaigned with Trump ? Why have so many republicans stood with Harris ? Why hasn’t Trump condemned proud boys. oath keepers White supremacy groups? How would you like to hire a teacher in a school who posted if your rich and famous you can grab woman by the P ? Di the women in your life friends and family believe that abortion should be illegal ? Do you think RFK will keep the USA safe in the event of a contagious virus ? When Trump cdight Covid the Coward Mr Bone Spur ran to the hospital to get science fact abd research treatment and not the b s treatment he recommended to his cult members. good luck to all of us. I wish everyone the best of times
Hi Michael. I am Mary Lou Cookman. We knew each other in the good old days on Clinton Avenue and at the old Staples. I used to be a registered Republican. Protecting this country and democracy, honoring those who serve in uniforms, speaking with out demeaning those we speak about is preciously why I cannot vote for former President Trump. I am very concerned about what happens as the day closes tomorrow and the people have exercised their right to choose who will lead this country going forward. I hope you and your family are well.
Mr. Gray:
I’m a registered Republican and didn’t vote for Trump in 2016 or 2020.
Why ? He had never before worked in any local or state or federal political / governmental capacity and, as far as I could tell in 2016 (and emphatically proven out during his disastrous time in the White House), had absolutely zero capacity to effectively and intelligently manage sprawling and very complex institutions and agencies.
Your use of the word “unhinged” to describe the Democratic party is laughable and reflects a certain degree of ignorance. Trump was (and still is) the least experienced modern-era candidate ever to run for the office of President. That’s a fact. Those that voted for him in 2016 and 2020 and continue to support him in 2024 can more aptly be described as unhinged.
Also laughable and ignorant is your “without a single vote from an actual voter” comment. In the 2020 election, I recall that the Biden / Harris ticket received many more votes (popular and electoral) than the Trump / Pence ticket so let’s assume that at least a portion of those Biden / Harris voters were voting their hearts and minds for the VP half of the ticket.
I proudly voted Biden / Harris in 2020 and don’t regret it one bit. They were the more experienced and smarter ticket and, by all accounts, are leaving America in a much better place (at least economically) than how they found it, i.e. low unemployment, higher wages, shrinking inflation.
A simple definition of democracy is “any form of government in which the people vote directly against or in favor of decisions, policies, laws, etc.” I believe in this country and its legal citizens’ unalienable right to vote their hearts and minds and in the next day, they will do just that.
We are a constitutional republic not a democracy. The Electoral College spells that out. We are beholden to 3-4 counties, about 75,000 votes in total that will decide the election. Your vote in CT. is effectively inconsequential as last ng as “ one man/woman one vote.
Dermot:
I stand partially corrected. We are both a representative democracy and a constitutional republic.
From the Brennan Center for Justice:
“The Constitution grants state legislatures the power to decide how to appoint their electors. Initially, a number of state legislatures directly selected their electors, but during the 19th century they transitioned to the popular vote, which is now used by all 50 states. In other words, each awards its electoral votes to the presidential candidate chosen by the state’s voters.”
Additionally, “in the months leading up to the general election, the political parties in each state typically nominate their own slates of would-be electors. The state’s popular vote determines which party’s slates will be made electors. Members of the Electoral College meet and vote in their respective states on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December after Election Day. Then, on January 6, a joint session of Congress meets at the Capitol to count the electoral votes and declare the outcome of the election, paving the way for the presidential inauguration on January 20.”
All votes (Democratic or Republican) in CT are consequential.
January 6, 2021 tells you all you need to know about former President Trump. Enough of the noise.
You didn’t have to convince me that trump is nothing but a blowhard failure. Working for many years in Manhattan I knew him well. He was and is a racist and a con man. He thrives off others making them miserable. And don’t ever believe he supports the police.. he never did! He just lied about it , even saying he donated to police causes which he never did! A consummate liar!
I find it despicable that this was revealed the day before voting. Please don’t call yourself a Republican . Just another divider of our great America. Kamala your choice tells & shows me either you’re dense or you don’t know her real background. Study up on her.
“Study up on her.” have you done even 30 seconds of ‘studying up’ on Donald Trump? How about when he was recorded saying, and I quote “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful—I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything”
How about his 34 felony convictions? Did you manage to study up on those either?
And, finally, can I ask if you turned on the television on January 6th, 2021? Let me guess, just a peaceful protest and nothing to do with Donald Trump?
But Miller is the dense one.. sure Jan 🙂
Only 22 shopping days left until felon trump is sentenced for those 34 felonies! Each one tops out at 4 years in prison. Each one.
It may not be instant karma, but Karma is coming for convict Trump.
“Another divider of America?” Huh? Have you listened to your beloved Trump? All his rhetoric and policies are directed at seeking retribution for his loss in 2020, nothing else. And he lost by 7 million votes and 72 electoral votes. Not even close.
I don’t have to “study up” up on Kamala. All I need to know is that it’s her or a narcissistic blow hard who, I truly fear, will throw the Constitution in the trash and turn this country into “Donnie’s Kingdom”.
Want to know who’s going to win? See where the stock DJT is tomorrow afternoon around 4:00!
Per Forbes, Jack, the S&P 500 has accurately predicted 20 of the past 24 presidential elections. At a record 5,800+, such would seem to favor Harris?
for what it’s worth: I’ve had a few of the people who did Hair & Makeup for that show when (decade plus after that show ended and he’d already been in white house) doing mine dish a bit about the behind the scenes of that Trump Apprentice show, i.e., they were specifically assigned to The Trump Family but would also do some of the contestants when the contestants own hair and makeup didn’t show or were over-assigned, and they only have the absolute NICEST things to say about all of The Trump Family (and many of the contestants) involved in that show but not the nicest things to say about involved NBC corporate themselves; In the end, we decided it was NBC Corp Involved In That Show not realising at least 1 of these hair and make up people was fr an extremely important media family and so treating them as if they were nobodies while Trump and his family while they also didn’t know who Hair & Makeup People were related to nevertheless treated everyone who did hair and makeup as if they were part of their own family.
This NBC marketing guy sounds like he’s saying whatever he needs – and as a professional he goes too far doing so; a professional speaking like this is out and out sloppy – in order to stay ‘in the fold’ that’s more domineering in Westport. While we can all be sure the domineering of DNP in WSPT (and beyond WSPT) appreciate his doing so, I’m sure they also don’t respect him for it, too sloppy and eager.
God Bless our 47th President and God Bless America.
God Bless Our 45th & 47th President of the United States of America and God Bless America🙏
I Think Donald Trump had links with the occult
I Think Donald Trump Is a 🐍
I Think Donald Trump Is “A child of Lilith
I Think Barron Trump will be dating Countess Lara-Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck by July 2025