Reality TV show helped get Trump elected, research suggests

Published March 12, 2018 This content is archived.

An article in The Oregonian reports on research by Shira Gabriel, associate professor of psychology, that showed the role that Donald Trump’s reality shows “The Apprentice” and “The Celebrity Apprentice” played in his election as president. “Fourteen seasons of hour-long episodes that presented Trump as a calm, infallible decision-maker, who listened to others but came to his own conclusions, greatly emphasized his success [as a candidate],” she said. “I strongly believe that Donald Trump would not be president if it weren’t for his being on ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘The Celebrity Apprentice.’ It’s not the only factor, but this was a close election, and knowing what I know about the strength of parasocial relationships and based on what we found through this research, I believe that he wouldn’t be in office if it weren’t for these television shows.”

http://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2018/03/donald_trump_won_election_beca.html