Some leftist media pundits have tried to teach us that it was television’s ‘The Apprentice’ program that set the stage for Donald J. Trump to run for president.

In reality, Americans learned about Trump in the 1970s, 80s, 90s. For me, I walked into the Trump Tower in New York in 1989 and didn’t know much about him. That building (and the “golden staircase”) said plenty.

Despite woke propaganda, the fact is Americans and much of the world learned about him over many years:

Rona Barrett – 1980: First national interview with Donald Trump. Trump said he could “make deals with other countries better than our politicians” and that U.S. leaders were weak negotiators.

Merv Griffin – 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1997: The Merv Griffin Show. 1984: Trump said “Japan is taking advantage of us” and politicians “don’t know how to make a deal.”

1987: Trump said “We’re being ripped off” by allies, “we defend countries for nothing.”

1990: Trump said “We have a tremendous problem with immigration. People are pouring in.”

1997: Trump said NATO allies “aren’t paying their bills.”

Phil Donahue – 1987, 1988, 1990: Hour-long Town Halls with Donald Trump. 1987: Trump said Japan + Germany are “ripping us off” on trade.

Trump said “We’re being taken advantage of.” Audience sided with Trump over Donahue. 1990: Trump defended tariffs to protect U.S. jobs.

Oprah Winfrey – 1988: “I’d make our allies pay their fair share… this country is being ripped off,” Trump told her. Crowd cheered when Oprah asked Trump if he’d run for president. Trump said Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Japan should pay for U.S. military protection.

Barbara Walters – 1987, 1990, 1998: 20/20 with Donald Trump. 1987: Trump said “We’re a debtor nation… we have to stop being taken advantage of by Japan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait.” Trump said allies “wouldn’t last a week” without us.

Tom Brokaw/NBC – 1988, 1990: NBC Nightly News + specials. 1988: Trump told Brokaw “this country is being taken to the cleaners” on trade. 1990: Trump said U.S. foreign policy was “a joke” and we were “losing respect” worldwide.

Larry King Live – 1987, 1990, 1993, 1997, 1999: Larry King’s go-to for policy was Donald Trump. 1993: Trump said NAFTA will “suck jobs” out of the U.S. 1999: Trump hit China trade, floated running, said “I’m very conservative on trade.” Trump said “We have a tremendous problem with illegal immigration” and would deport illegals who commit crimes.

Sally Jessy Raphael – 1990, 1991: Daytime TV with Donald Trump. Trump said “we’re letting foreign countries rob us blind” and “our politicians are afraid to fight.”

Trump hit Japan trade deficits. Trump told the audience “America doesn’t win anymore.”

Geraldo Rivera – 1988, 1991, 1999:

Geraldo with Donald Trump. 1988: Trump said “we’re defending the world for free while they steal our jobs.”

1999: Trump said “we’re being invaded” by illegal immigration and “California is destroyed” by it.

David Letterman – 1980s/1990s: 20+ appearances by Donald Trump. Trump said “Politicians are all talk, no action.” Trump said U.S. was “getting killed” on trade. Letterman called Trump “the people’s billionaire.”

Charlie Rose – 1992, 1993: Charlie Rose interviewed Donald Trump who said the U.S. was “laughed at” overseas. Trump hit trade deficits, called out Germany/Japan for “taking our wealth.”

Joan Rivers – 1987-1997: Joan Rivers had Donald Trump on. Trump said “America is getting screwed” on deals. Trump said we need to stop wasting money overseas.

Howard Stern – 1990s: Howard Stern talked to Donald Trump dozens of times. Trump said “Our leaders are stupid,” foreign countries are “eating our lunch,” we need to “stop being the world’s sucker.” Trump said NYC was “overrun” and in 1999 that “the country’s being invaded.”

Regis & Kathie Lee – 1988-1999: Regis hosted Donald Trump. Trump said the “Country’s being run poorly,” “We make bad deals,” “Other countries don’t respect us.”

Chris Matthews – 1997: Hardball with Donald Trump. Trump said “America first,” hit trade deficits, said NATO allies “aren’t paying.” Trump said border security was weak and “we’re letting people pour in.”

Don Imus – 1999: Don Imus interviewed Donald Trump. Trump said “You have to stop illegal immigration. It’s killing us. It’s killing the country.” Trump said California was “destroyed” by it.

Playboy – 1990: 14-page interview with Donald Trump. Trump said Japan “is beating us,” America needs a “tough” president. Trump said “People are pouring in… we have a tremendous problem with immigration.” Trump called the U.S. a “dumping ground.”

The pattern 1980-1999: Trump on trade — “we’re getting ripped off.” Trump on allies — “make them pay for protection.” Trump on negotiating — “politicians are terrible dealmakers.” Trump on decline — “we used to win, now we don’t.” Trump on immigration — “pouring in,” “invasion,” “no control.”

The bottom line is that Donald Trump has been consistent while Democrats, entertainment and Big Media have used those same lines for 55 years and then sat on them when Trump ran for president and WON THREE TIMES.

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