The Trump administration's attempt to produce its own TV-style content is struggling to find an audience, according to a WIRED analysis. The US Small Business Administration streamed "Million Dollar Pitch Competition," a Shark Tank-like show featuring celebrity judges including Nicki Minaj and Grant Cardone. The hour-long special had just over 60,000 views on YouTube a day after airing, with a hostile reception even on Trump-friendly X.
The White House's 24/7 streaming channel, launched as an alternative to mainstream media, has featured border patrol B-roll and a replay of the State of the Union. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "The Real Food Show" on YouTube has seen declining audiences since July. The one apparent hit, UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, broke a Paramount+ streaming record with 7 million average viewers, but UFC lost $30 million on the event and its CEO says he can't afford a repeat.
WIRED argues the administration lacks the production polish that made Trump's earlier TV persona effective, noting that The Apprentice's editing was key. The article suggests these ventures are unlikely to replace traditional media influence.