The Trump Show

The Trump Show is a fascinating documentary series from BBC Select. Captivating audiences across the globe, the series provides a gripping, insightful, and sometimes disbelief-inducing examination of Donald Trump's presidency. It ran for two seasons between 2020 and 2021, providing a scope of coverage from his ascension to the White House's top job until the end of his term. What's unique about the show is that it's framed like a reality TV – a nod perhaps to Trump's background – chronicling not only the political trajectory but also the dramatic underpinnings of his time in office.

A combination of lesser-seen footage, archived interviews, and fresh discussions with key players in Trump's Presidency, the show seeks to provide perspectives from multiple angles, allowing viewers to piece together a more comprehensive understanding of events that unfolded during this controversial presidency.

In the first season, we delve into the initial days of Trump's presidency, a tumultuous period marked by shock, controversy, and a significant departure from conventional political norms. We witness his unconventional approach to his role, his endless Twitter storm, and the behind-the-scenes drama and power plays within his administration. All this while the world grapples with confronting this new unpredictable political world order.

The second season continues to chart the course of his Presidency, but with more gravity towards the latter half, highlighting some of the most seismic events that occurred, including impeachment trials, social justice movements like Black Lives Matter, and notably the Covid-19 pandemic reaction. There is a considerable focus on how Trump's leadership style evolved – or, indeed, didn't – under the intense pressures of these testing times.

The Trump Show does not skim on the cast of characters, opting to bring viewers face to face with many individuals who worked closely with Donald Trump. High-profile interviews with figures such as Anthony Scaramucci, Steve Bannon, Sean Spicer, Omarosa Manigault Newman, and others heavily draw viewers into the heart of the administration’s day-to-day workings. This collection of first-hand, in-situ narratives allows a hitherto unseen look at the Trump Whitehouse, navigating the complexities of the administration’s time in power.

The series also explores Trump's relationship with the media, indeed his use (and manipulation) of it and the resulting unprecedented levels of polarization within the American public. It explores the concept of 'alternative facts' and the fake news phenomena that characterized much of his tenure.

While the documentary benefits from the clarity of hindsight, it doesn’t simply view the past four years through a retrospective lens. It allows for an understanding of the urgency, surprise, and populist resonance that occurred in real-time, how Trump, a non-political, polarizing figure, managed to hold the highest office in the land and the resultant global shockwaves.

However, the approach of The Trump Show isn't entirely clinical. While the show aims to piece together an objective view of events, be prepared for some comedic undertones. Moments of humor often seep through the cracks of the otherwise serious narrative, allowing for jarring, borderline surreal interludes that add a different dynamic to the viewing experience.

Beautifully shot, meticulously researched, and expertly crafted, The Trump Show is as much a testament to robust and inclusive journalism as it is a snapshot of one of America's most controversial political periods. A drawing portrait of a disruptive, unpredictable presidency and an earnest study of the political, societal, and media reactions to the era, it serves as an engaging catalyst for viewer reflection.

While this will certainly be of interest to political junkies and history buffs, it also holds broad appeal for others. It offers access to an era of politics that’s arguably marked the departure from the known to the unknown for many worldwide. For those seeking to understand the unique, chaotic chapter in American history that was the Trump presidency, The Trump Show should be on your watch-list.

In essence, The Trump Show is an immersive, thought-provoking series that explores the reality-show-like presidency of Donald Trump, charting his tumultuous time in office and the changed world it leaves in its wake.