Richard Hatch, the groundbreaking winner of the inaugural season of the reality television phenomenon "Survivor," has delivered a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump, labeling him "the worst human being" he has ever encountered. Hatch's condemnation stems from his direct participation in the fourth season of the Trump-hosted NBC competition, "The Celebrity Apprentice," where he spent considerable time with the business magnate.
A Personal Account of Manipulation
In a recent interview with Tim Murphy's The Caftan Chronicles, Hatch revealed he had known Trump for approximately three years prior to joining the show. When asked to describe Trump in one-on-one interactions, Hatch did not mince words, characterizing him as "grotesquely manipulative." He elaborated that Trump's behavior was entirely self-serving, focused solely on extracting personal gain from every situation.
"I would stare at him and watch him use the room to his desperate need for attention," Hatch explained. "He would play people, talk to one person and then turn around and tear them down to the next person. He's really awful."
Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct
Hatch further accused Trump of making "sexual comments" directed at "all of the women" competitors during the 2011 season of The Celebrity Apprentice, alleging this occurred even in the presence of Trump's daughter, Ivanka. At the time of these initial allegations during the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's team vehemently denied the claims, calling them "completely false."
These accusations are part of a broader pattern of allegations concerning Trump's behavior on the NBC program and its predecessor, "The Apprentice." Over the years, former crew members have charged Trump with openly commenting on women's bodies and breast sizes. Trump himself addressed the show's atmosphere in his 2004 book "How to Get Rich," writing that all the women on the show flirted with him "consciously or unconsciously," and asserting that a "sexual dynamic" is always present.
Racist Slur Allegations and Network Fallout
Separate allegations have also surfaced regarding Trump's use of racist language. He has been accused of using the N-word on camera in reference to Kwame Jackson, the runner-up from the 2004 season of "The Apprentice." In a 2024 interview with CNN's Abby Phillip, Jackson stated that Trump never used the slur directly to his face but did not dispute the possibility it was said, noting he had "never known Mr. Trump to be comfortable around Black people." A Trump spokesperson responded to these allegations in 2024, dismissing them as a "completely fabricated and bullshit story."
The controversy ultimately contributed to NBC severing ties with Trump. The network fired him in 2015 over his anti-immigrant rhetoric during his presidential campaign. An attempt to revive the franchise in 2017 with former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as host of "The New Celebrity Apprentice" was short-lived, leading NBC to effectively cancel all versions of the show.
Hatch's Notorious Reality TV Journey
Richard Hatch first captured national attention by winning the first season of "Survivor" in 2000, securing the $1 million prize. His victory, however, was later marred by legal troubles; in 2006, he was sentenced to 51 months in prison for, in part, failing to report his winnings from the show for tax purposes. His appearance on "The Celebrity Apprentice" marked a later chapter in his tumultuous reality television career.
Hatch's firsthand account adds a personal dimension to the long-standing controversies surrounding Donald Trump's conduct in the entertainment industry, painting a portrait of a man he describes as fundamentally manipulative and self-serving.
