# Trump's TV magic has vanished

> The former president's media appearances are now embarrassing, and his administration's streaming efforts are flopping badly.
- Title: Trump's TV magic has vanished · WIRED | Shortify
- Summary: The former president's media appearances are now embarrassing, and his administration's streaming efforts are flopping badly. Trump's once-formidable TV…
- Keywords: donald trump, television, media strategy, streaming, white house, 2024 administration, Trump's, magic, vanished, WIRED
- Source: WIRED — https://wired.com/story/trump-isnt-even-good-at-tv-anymore
- Author: Miles Klee
- Published: 2026-10-21T20:38:01.743+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: donald trump, television, media strategy, streaming, white house, 2024 administration
## Trump built his brand on TV
Donald Trump launched his 2016 presidential run as the host of NBC's The Apprentice, a breakout hit in its debut two thousand three to two thousand four season.
## His on-camera star quality was edited
Trump routinely overstated The Apprentice's primetime dominance, which saw ratings decline over subsequent years. People behind the scenes edited his unscripted and less-than-coherent bluster to make him sound like a straight-talking businessman.
## His media appearances now embarrass
Trump's latest press secretary, Katie Zacharia, lasted a mere five days in the job, ousted following a disastrous on-camera performance at her first briefing. Trump's own appearances are unhinged and embarrassing even by his standards.
## The SBA's Million Dollar Pitch flopped
On Tuesday, the US Small Business Administration streamed an hour-long special called the Million Dollar Pitch Competition, styled as a hybrid of Shark Tank and American Idol.
## The show was extraordinarily dull
The Million Dollar Pitch Competition amounted to an extraordinarily dull attempt to prove the Trump administration is bringing factory jobs back to the US.
## Trump recycled his old catchphrase
When judges asked Trump for advice on picking a winner, he replied, "You know, it's interesting, because with The Apprentice, I had a very good term that I used: 'You're fired.'"

> You know, it's interesting, because with The Apprentice, I had a very good term that I used: 'You're fired.'
## Other streaming efforts are also failing
The White House launched a twenty-four seven Trump TV streaming channel as part of its war on news outlets.Robert F.
## UFC event was the only ratings win
UFC Freedom two hundred fifty, held in June at a ring structure on the South Lawn of the White House, broke the viewership record for a live event airing exclusively on Paramount plus, with an…
## The UFC won't return to the White House
Ultimate Fighting Championship lost some thirty million dollars on the spectacle.Dana White, CEO of UFC, said he "can't afford" to return to Trump's backyard for an encore.

> can't afford
## Key takeaway

Trump's once-formidable TV presence has collapsed. His administration's attempts to bypass mainstream media with streaming content are drawing tiny audiences and critical mockery.