AP: 'Apprentice' Cast, Crew Say Trump Was Sexist

(4 Oct 2016) "APPRENTICE" CAST, CREW SAY TRUMP WAS SEXIST
In his years as a reality TV boss on "The Apprentice," Donald Trump repeatedly demeaned women with sexist language, according to show insiders who said he rated female contestants by the size of their breasts and talked about which ones he'd like to have sex with.
The Associated Press interviewed more than 20 people - former crew members, editors and contestants - who described crass behavior by Trump behind the scenes of the long-running hit show, in which aspiring capitalists were given tasks to perform as they competed for jobs working for him.
The staffers and contestants agreed to recount their experiences as Trump's behavior toward women has become a core issue in the presidential campaign.
Interviewed separately, they gave concurring accounts of inappropriate conduct on the set.
During one season, Trump called for female contestants to wear shorter dresses that also showed more cleavage, according to contestant Gene Folkes.
Several cast members said Trump had one female contestant twirl before him so he could ogle her figure.
The Trump campaign issued a general denial.
"These outlandish, unsubstantiated, and totally false claims fabricated by publicity hungry, opportunistic, disgruntled former employees, have no merit whatsoever," said Hope Hicks, Trump's campaign spokeswoman.
"The Apprentice was one of the most successful prime-time television shows of all time and employed hundreds of people over many years, many of whom support Mr. Trump's candidacy," Hicks added.
She declined to answer specific questions that were emailed and declined an interview request.
Former producer Katherine Walker said Trump frequently talked about women's bodies during the five seasons she worked with him and said he speculated about which female contestant would be "a tiger in bed."
Walker, who said she was the only high-level female producer during the first season, said Trump turned to her during a break outside of the control room to ask who he should fire.
Walker demurred, she said, but noted that team members had told her one contestant had caused her team to lose their business task.
Trump raised his hands and cupped them to his chest to ask whether it was a contestant with large breasts, she said.
"He said, 'You mean the one with the' - and he puts his hands out in a gesture to signal the girl with the giant boobs. He didn't even know her name," Walker said, adding that the contestant, Kristi Frank, was fired at the end of the episode.
Twelve former contestants or members of the crew spoke on the record about what they described as Trump's inappropriate behavior.
Another nine spoke to the AP about their concerns regarding Trump's treatment of female colleagues but said they did not want to be identified because they signed non-disclosure agreements, or were concerned about wrecking their careers or retaliation from Trump.
Most offered no opinion on the November election in the course of their interviews, but the majority of those who did said only that they were not supporting Trump.
However, one former contestant, Tyana Alvarado, said she never felt disrespected by Trump.
"My experience with Trump is that he is fair to both men and women and it's the individual that has to earn his respect," said Alvarado, who appeared in season 10.
NBC, which broadcast the hit series, referred questions to executive producer Mark Burnett, whose studio referred calls to a public relations firm.
The public relations firm did not respond to multiple voicemails and emails seeking comment.

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