Trump to Carolyn: You’re Fired

Since the first season of The Apprentice, Carolyn Kepcher has been at Donald Trump’s side. He’s called her his eyes and ears, a trusted advisor, smart, and tough. But something went sour in the Trump Organization last Thursday, because for the first time, Carolyn heard the words, “You’re fired,” directed towards her.

Carolyn has been an employee of the Trump Organization since 1994. Prior to her firing, she was the managing partner of Trump Golf Management, LLC, as well as Chief Operating Officer of the Trump National Golf Clubs in Briarcliff Manor, New York and in Bedminster, New Jersey. What happened?

According to People magazine, Trump has been unhappy with Carolyn “for months.” Instead of focusing on her duties for Trump, Carolyn was preoccupied with building her own brand, People reported. “She was supposed to be managing the golf course. She was supposed to be selling memberships… With the book, the speaking engagements, and these endorsement deals, he’s looking at that and thinking, ‘She is supposed to be working for me. Yet, she is off creating her own empire.’”

Officially, both Trump’s and Carolyn’s people are much more amiable about the split. In a statement, Carolyn said, “After 11 years with the Trump Organization, Donald and I had different visions for my future role in the company. Donald has been an extraordinary boss and a great mentor over the years, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities and experiences he has provided me.”

Jim Dowd, a representative for Trump, simply said, “Mr. Trump wishes her the best.”

What does all of this mean for the upcoming sixth season of The Apprentice? Sources say that instead of having Carolyn and fellow viceroy George Ross judge most tasks, several different people will serve as judges. Donald Trump’s children, Ivanka and Donald Jr., will be among them.

Season 6 of The Apprentice will begin in January 2007 on Sunday nights at 9:00 PM Easter time. For the first time, the show will be filmed not in New York, but rather Los Angeles.

Carolyn was a favorite among fans of The Apprentice. She won an RNO Award in 2004 as the Reality Breakout Star of the year, beating out stars such as American Idol winner Fantasia and Survivor favorite Rupert Boneham. She was also named Best Judge by RNO readers, even beating out Simon Cowell. Viewers tuned in every week to see what Carolyn had to say to the candidates. Who can forget the stern lecture she gave to the women on Season 1 about using their talent, not their sex appeal, to get ahead? I know I wasn’t the only one cheering when Carolyn told candidates not to complain about their teams, but to fix them, applauding at the looks of absolute disgust she gave some of the poorer performers, and laughing right along with her at some of the weaker attempts of candidates through the years. I adore Ivanka Trump, but without a doubt, The Apprentice won’t be the same without Carolyn.

Betsy Wasser is the Associate Editor of Reality News Online. She can be reached with comments at Betsywasser@Gmail.com.

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