Photo: Getty Images
An ex-producer on The Apprentice says former President Donald Trump used the n-word while discussing a Black contestant.
According to Bill Pruitt, an Apprentice producer, Trump hurled the racial slur as he, ex-show runner Jay Bienstock, and Carolyn Kepcher, who previously ran the former president's hospitality units, were talking about the finalists for season one.
Pruitt told Slate that the team gathered to brief Trump on who he should choose as the winner of the show. The ex-producer claimed Trump pushed back on their idea that Kwame Brown should win over Bill Rancic.
According to Pruitt, Kepcher told Trump: "I think Kwame would be a great addition to the organization."
"Yeah, but, I mean, would America buy a n***** winning?" Trump allegedly said of the Black contestant.
Rancic was ultimately named the winner of The Apprentice's season one.
After Trump hurled the racial slur, Pruitt said Kepcher went pale over the remark. Bienstock allegedly changed the subject to discuss George Ross, one of Trump's attorneys who was said to also be in the mix.
Pruitt said the moment was filmed as a lead-up to Trump's decision, but the recording never surfaced.
Trump has long denied ever saying the N-word. However, the former president has yet to publicly comment on Pruitt's account of the moment.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.