It's both amusing and terrifying to rewatch episodes of Trump's "The Apprentice" and see how that TV persona has shaped his presidencies. Remember how contestants were evaluated on communication, team building, and results, culminating in his trademark "You're fired!"? The irony is palpable when we look at his own performance in these areas.

Communication? Trump has evolved from Twitter tantrums to Truth Social tirades. His thin skin hasn't thickened – every perceived slight still triggers a cascade of ALL-CAPS posts. His press conferences remain exercises in alternative reality, with each appearance more disconnected from facts than the last. Where once we had KellyAnne Conway and Sean Spicer twisting themselves into pretzels to defend him, now a rotating cast of spokespersons attempts to explain away his latest indictments, election interference claims, and increasingly erratic behavior.

Team building? His first term was a revolving door of resignations and firings. Now, after Biden's interlude, he's struggling to build a team for his second term. Many experienced Republicans are quietly declining positions, wary of associating with his brand of chaos. His promise to pursue "retribution" against political enemies has made recruitment even harder. The party that once grumbled about his leadership now faces a choice between complete submission or political exile.

And results? His first term gave us chaos, COVID mismanagement, and an insurrection. His campaign promises then – like now – were grand but hollow. The wall? Partially built and crumbling. Healthcare? No replacement for Obamacare materialized. Infrastructure? Biden actually delivered on that one, though Trump claims credit. His job creation announcements were often recycled news about previously planned investments, just as they are now.

His current promises sound eerily familiar: another wall, more deportations, trade wars 2.0. He still doesn't grasp that presidential powers have limits – though he's made it clear he plans to test those limits further. His understanding of global technology and trade remains stuck in the 1980s, even as AI reshapes the economy and geopolitical alliances shift.

The tragic comedy continues with his base still believing in the reality show version of governance. They cheer for the spectacle while actual governance crumbles. Polls show his supporters still can't distinguish between political theater and real policy achievements – much like those who once couldn't tell the difference between the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare.

After four years of Biden attempting to restore normalcy, we're back to the reality show presidency. But this time, the stakes are even higher, and the script is darker. If America were still "The Apprentice," the host himself would have been fired long ago for incompetence. Instead, he's somehow gotten a second season.

YOU'RE REHIRED? (Heaven help us all.)

(big thanks to all the great cartoon artists in this article: Signe Wilkinson, David Horsey, Mike Thompson and Steven Camley)