Politics and Government

Trump appoints Omarosa as head of new government division to launch reality singing shows, promises to “Make TV Great Again”

Dateline: Washington, D.C. — In what some are calling a groundbreaking pivot for government programming, President Donald Trump has appointed former “Apprentice” star Omarosa Manigault Newman as the head of a brand-new Commission on Reality Talent Development (CRTD). Tasked with creating a lineup of fresh, government-endorsed reality singing shows, Omarosa says her goal is to “revitalize the American Dream, one karaoke number at a time.”

While still in the discussion phase, several show concepts have already been floated within the CRTD, with insiders hinting at big-budget ideas designed to capture the spirit of the nation. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the frontrunners:

Make America Sing Again

   Think The Voice meets American Idol, but with a uniquely patriotic twist. Contestants from all 50 states will compete by singing only classic American anthems like “God Bless America,” “Born in the USA,” and “America the Beautiful.” Extra points are awarded for contestants who incorporate flag-waving choreography and end with a salute. A wildcard “Star-Spangled Banner” round will test contestants’ ability to hold high notes under pressure, with spotlights on vocal runs and military-inspired stagewear.

The Apprentice: Singer’s Edition

   A spinoff of Trump’s classic hit, this show will blend the cutthroat drama of The Apprentice with musical performances. Contestants are split into teams tasked with producing a hit single each week, overseen by Trump and his handpicked advisors, including Don Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, and, naturally, Omarosa. Eliminations come down to a boardroom session where the worst performers face Trump’s trademark line, “You’re out of tune!”

Pardon My Pipes

   This controversial concept will feature contestants who have previously faced minor legal trouble, giving them a chance to sing their way to a full pardon. Dubbed “the first show to combine justice and jazz hands,” this series will follow ex-offenders as they showcase their vocal talents, with judges assessing both their musical range and potential for rehabilitation. Trump has hinted that high notes could lead to commutations, making it a blend of legal reform and entertainment “like we’ve never seen.”

Cabinet Karaoke

   In what’s being pitched as a weekly event, members of Trump’s new cabinet are set to participate in live karaoke battles. Imagine the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury going head-to-head on classic hits like “Sweet Caroline” or “Eye of the Tiger.” Trump believes this will make Americans “fall in love with their government again” by giving the public a glimpse into the “human side” of cabinet officials. Early reports suggest Betsy DeVos may already be practicing her rendition of “Like a Prayer.”

Sing Your Way to Citizenship

   Under this CRTD proposal, aspiring immigrants would compete in musical challenges to showcase their patriotism, singing renditions of American classics and folk songs. Finalists are offered the chance for expedited citizenship, but only if they receive unanimous approval from a panel of judges composed of celebrity MAGA supporters. Critics are already calling it “an extreme take on American Idol,” but Omarosa argues it’s “an innovative approach to immigration reform.”

You’re a Star-Spangled Superstar

   This ultimate competition pits contestants from small-town America against each other for the title of “America’s Next Big Thing.” Each episode features contestants from a different region of the country, performing heartland favorites, with added bonuses for guitar solos, banjo riffs, and cowboy hats. Trump is expected to guest-judge the finale, with a prize that includes performing at an inauguration event (should there be another).

According to Omarosa, this CRTD lineup will help “unite the country through song” and give Americans a reason to “tune in together and sing along.” Some might question if the government’s focus should really be on launching TV shows, but Omarosa says the CRTD has “clear orders” from Trump to bring “showmanship back to Washington.”

“Other presidents gave you NPR, PBS, the Kennedy Center,” Omarosa said at a press conference, “but Trump’s giving you national primetime entertainment. He’s giving you quality.”

When asked if this is the beginning of an era of “government-sponsored reality TV,” Trump replied, “Look, if they could put a man on the moon, we can put a little Broadway in the Oval Office.”

Joe Ditzel

Joe Ditzel is a keynote speaker, humor writer, and really bad golfer. You can reach him via email at [email protected] as well as Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.