In newly released audio, former President Donald Trump has expressed his frustration with Kim Kardashian, accusing her of distancing herself from his administration to gain favor in Hollywood. The recording, played on CNN’s “OutFront,” captures Trump’s disappointment over Kardashian’s lack of continued support despite their collaborative efforts on prison reform.
Trump’s comments were recorded by author Ramin Setoodeh during interviews for his book “Apprentice in Wonderland,” which explores Trump’s journey from reality TV to the White House. In the audio, Trump laments, “With Kim, I did a lot of prison reform that she couldn’t get done with anybody else. I let people out of prison that I thought were deserving to be let out. And then after it was all over, she announced that she’s not supporting me.” He concludes, “And she only did that to be cool in Hollywood.”
Kardashian, a billionaire cosmetics mogul and reality TV star, visited Trump at the White House in 2018 to discuss prison reform and advocate for clemency for Alice Marie Johnson, a nonviolent drug offender. Their efforts culminated in the signing of the First Step Act, which reformed federal prisons and sentencing laws. However, Kardashian later celebrated President Joe Biden’s election victory in 2020, which Setoodeh believes left Trump feeling “betrayed.”
Setoodeh told “OutFront” host Erin Burnett, “I think he feels wounded that he invited Kim Kardashian to the White House, and then she went on social media after Joe Biden was declared the winner in 2020 and posted three heart emojis.” Trump’s sense of betrayal is consistent with his history of vindictiveness toward those who do not remain loyal to him.
In the same interviews, Trump also spoke about singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, describing her as “beautiful” multiple times in a short span. This juxtaposition of his admiration for Swift and his criticism of Kardashian highlights Trump’s complex relationships with public figures.
Kardashian’s advocacy for criminal justice reform has been a significant part of her public persona. In 2018, she played a central role in advocating for the release of Alice Johnson, who had been sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years for her involvement in a drug conspiracy. Trump used Johnson’s release to showcase his commitment to prison reform, but their relationship soured after Kardashian did not endorse him.
According to ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl’s book “Tired of Winning,” Trump agreed to help Kardashian with commutations in exchange for her getting NFL players to appear at the White House. However, after the 2020 election, Trump reportedly believed Kardashian had voted for Biden, a perceived betrayal he could not forgive. Months after leaving office, Trump allegedly hung up on Kardashian when she called him for help with a clemency case.
Despite Trump’s disapproval, Kardashian has continued her advocacy work. She recently appeared at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris to celebrate Biden’s pardoning of 11 people and commuting the sentences of five others convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.
Trump’s comments about Kardashian stand in stark contrast to his praise for Swift. In Setoodeh’s book, Trump repeatedly called Swift “beautiful” and acknowledged her likely liberal views, which he assumed meant she did not support him. This admiration for Swift is notable given her long-standing feud with Kardashian and her ex-husband Kanye West.
Swift and Kardashian’s feud dates back to the 2009 Grammys, where West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech. Years later, West released a song suggesting he might “still have sex” with Swift, which led to further tensions. Kardashian posted videos of a conversation between Swift and West on Snapchat, which Swift claimed was a form of bullying. The feud has been referenced in multiple songs by Swift, who has never received an apology from Kardashian or West.
Trump’s grievances with Kardashian and his admiration for Swift reflect his complex relationships with celebrities and public figures. His sense of betrayal by Kardashian is emblematic of his broader approach to loyalty and support.
As Trump prepares for the first of two scheduled presidential debates, his comments about Kardashian and Swift add another layer to his public persona. The debate, airing live on CNN, will be a critical moment for Trump as he seeks to regain political momentum.
In summary, Trump’s criticism of Kardashian for allegedly distancing herself from his administration to gain favor in Hollywood underscores his sensitivity to perceived disloyalty. Despite their successful collaboration on prison reform, Trump’s disappointment in Kardashian highlights the complexities of his relationships with public figures and his expectations of loyalty.
Source: CNN, ABC News, “Apprentice in Wonderland” by Ramin Setoodeh
