As you may know, my former Apprentice Carolyn Kepcher is no longer with the Trump Organization and everyone wants to know why. I had to fire her but it wasn't like one of my dramatic boardroom scenes.
The fact is, I like Carolyn very much but she loved her fame and she loved her celebrity on The Apprentice and it was affecting her work. She wasn't doing her job like she used to or was capable of doing. So I felt that after 11 years together it was time for a rest.
I told Carolyn in the nicest way possible, Go out and enjoy your family. Get a new job.
And I think she agreed that it was a good decision. We had a good run, but now it's over.
As far as The Apprentice is concerned, Ivanka replaces Carolyn next season. Ivanka did a fantastic job last year and she continues to amaze me with her talents. The show continues to be a monster hit and, as usual, I'm having a lot of fun.
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159 Comments
I love your show. My 2 kids and I watch it together. My daughter is 7, and my son is 10. My kids love to tell me "I'm Fired." all the time.
I have a couple of questions. I've seen Ivanka as one of your observers. I think not only is she stunning, but she also has talent. But does she have enough experience to judge the Apprenti? With age comes wisdom and experience and I'm wondering if she has enough business experience to judge the contestants.
George and Carolyn had decades of experience to draw from when judging the competitors. Both George and Carolyn were able to pass judgment and observations on when the contestants should do something, and when they shouldn't. Sometimes what seems the right thing to do in one week seems like the wrong thing to do the next week. Only with experience comes the wisdom to know what should be done and when.
Can't wait for the next season
Things must have really went wrong with Carolyn as it's always difficult to fire someone after 11 year relationship. It's not an easy task.
I feel like you have just traded your star quarteback to another team. I hope your new one will do just as well.
Larry Gessner
We wish carolyn the very best! and I am sure she will be able to be "hired" with great honors!
Personally, I liked Carolyn on the show. But things change. Period.
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Trump University translation:
It's really too bad! She is a very likeable and charming woman. I wish her good luck at her new place of work.
Just wanted to send our fellow New Yorkers a message of support on this day.
- Your Chicago family
I am usually applauding you and praising you.
But, I just get the feeling that firing Carolyn Kepcher was, perhaps down to you being a little jealous.
We all know that you thrive on your public image and the same with your Apprentice Show.
Carolyn was definitely a huge part of The Apprentice's success.
Now, it looks like she was getting to higher "places" and you just didn't like it, so, you brought in your daughter to take her place in the boardroom.
As already mentioned in these posts, Ivanka may be beautiful, powerful and savvy - like her dad, but, she does NOT have the experience of Carolyn...
And from what I have already seen of her last season, she comes across as hard, harsh, cold and unfeeling. She needs to show a little compasssion to others.
Also, I don't think that having the whole family in the "boardroom" is going to work "down the road."
We, the viewing public can only take so much...
Then again, you should have thought of replacing Carloyn with the TRUE successful and savvy businesswoman...MARTHA STEWART!
Carolyn made her decisions, you made yours. Both were sound business. She's proven to the world that she's top drawer and is all the better for her 11 years (and a couple of seasons) with you. I'd hire her. You run the Trump Org. Let's face it, like any good privately held dad, you need to have a sound plan for prodigeny. Ivanka, Donald Jr. and the rest of your great kids need to be ready to take the wheel some day (hopefully 100 years from now). Let's face it...the person at the helm of The T.O. needs to be a high profile personality as well as a great business mind and this gig at the Apprentice is a step to achieving that. It's not personal...It's just business!
I look forward to the new season of "The Apprentice" with Ivanka.
I found sometimes long time employees begin to think they OWN the company and no longer like to take direction. I liked her very much but it is true...everything changes.
I wish Ivanka luck. I think she is ready, and her time is now.
Getting fired is just like the divorce: it does not mean the marriage did not work out, but simply the next chapter is coming.
First, I was terribly disappointed to hear the news about Carolyn. Was it a good decision - I don't know, we will just have to wait and see.
Second, I also have read Carolyn's book and found it extremely inspirational. I admire a hardworker as I am one myself and expect no less from others. It is hard to believe that the woman that wrote this book is the same woman who traded in a hard work ethic for a fleeting season of fame. Are you sure your ego isn't just a wee bit hurt?
Don't let the comments get to you about firing Carolyn to get your daughter a job - Ivanka doesn't need you or anyone else to get her a job; Ivanka has incredible wisdom beyond her years and she is one sharp girl - she'll never be without a job.
And finally for the person that posted that it was unprofessional of you to blog about Carolyn's dismissal - I disagree. I EXPECTED you to make a blog entry regarding Carolyn's dismissal (with of course, not going into much detail)--I would have been disappointed if you hadn't. Thanks for staying connected to your blog readers and keeping them in the loop - this is what blogging is all about.
Catherine
"The Apprentice: World Season"
or are you anticipating a franchise of your show in other counries as well?
Why not both?
I think Donald was intimidated
You have just committed the big no-no that almost all "family owned" businesses commit. You have sent the message to your other team members that no matter what they do or how good they do it, they will never advance above your children. They will never reach the top level. And even though this will only apply to your 2nd level managers (those right below the kids)... it could create a revolving door scenario of your best talent. Once they get to that level, they would be fools to stick around. They should start looking the day they get the promotion.
Of course, like many of the other people on here have said, the CEO is the boss and makes the final decision. However, that in no way means the CEO is always right. In my humble opinion, you would have done better to have asked Carolyn to resign, then replaced her with the next best person under her, and put your daughter somewhere else in the organization to learn from one of your top people. That would have sent an incredibly "fair" picture to your team and not had them all questioning their committment to you. After all, if you are going to fire your top person after 11 years because she is getting more exposure (which afterall should have been better for your organization) then who else will you fire if they start getting more attention than you.
You COULD have changed her role to a marketing figure for Trump University... did you ever think about that? She would have been an incredibly powerful closer for signing people up.
Oh well... you will never know.
PLEASE SEND THE APPRENTICE OVER THE INTERNET.
WE WHO LIVE IN EUROPE CANNOT GO ON WITHOUT THE NEW EPISODES ANYMORE.
IN DENMARK ONLY APPRENTICE 1+2 HAVE BEEN SHOWN
Good luck,
Karen Bailey
And to say he did it to have his daughter on the show is beyond laughable! I think we can all agree that Donald Trump doesn't need an excuse to make any decision he wants. Just ask Martha Stewart!
What I have angst over is the word or phraseology, "I had to fire her." Too much power using that word. I have been fired but it wasn't as sensationally publicized like this one was.
Could this have been or would it have been more palatable to say, "We had an understanding and it was in both of our best interest to part company." "Fire" is such a strong word of power that might be better said with a more diffusing word especially when two personalities such as you and Carolyn have shared so much. Just food for thought.
I know it must have been hard for you to fire Carolyn. But you are still my hero. In true Trump like fashion, when someone gets too out of line or does not appreciate her fame and celebrity was due to you allowing her to be on the Apprentice with you in the first place, my thought is she should be fired. She should have had a little more common sense to keep you happy and satisfied with her work and job, which is to make sure the Boss is happy. That's what employees are suppose to do...
Best,
James
Unfortunately people today have little compassion and are driven
Vivien Gorrasi.. LI, NY
Please Carol join me in producing products for the world and peaceful people.
AS WELL.
I'm so glad that you came to your sense, when it comes to Caroline. I watched your apprentice show just about every week, in addition to recommending it to my co-workers felt that watching the contestants go at it reminded me of all the scenarios encountered in the real world of employment. Well at least in NYC. It's a doggie dog world out there. There are snakes,predators liars, cheaters, schemers, in addition to those that are territorial, and those that regress to infantile. Where did Caroline fall in? Well, like they say in New Jersey: Brown nose, definitely, but more than that the fact that she had the ins with "The Donald" went to her head and she came out like a real (excuse my French) bitch. Really, did she forget that she was an employee? I guess. Good job, Donald, you came through. You did the right thing. I way saying that she should be fired from the onset of the Apprentice. GAD
Good Luck with THAT Karma!
Corinne Hickey
Furture Noble Peace Prize Winner!
You should rethink what you have done because you could lose more than your little show and I don't think your daughters good looks can get you out of this mess. Your employee's if they think it's just a matter of time before they are out for another family member what kind of loyalty are you showing them. All through the season's of your show you preached nothing but how loyalty was so important "YOU SAID IT'S EVERYTHING" and then in one fail swoop you said "haa I lied"!!!!! Good luck, I think you going to need it. Ohh And my son was ask that if he were asked
Obviously you don't agree with Mr. Trump but maybe you should think deeper than "she pretty" or "he's cute". Compare bottom lines and you'll find a huge gap between what you think you know and what he does know. Great leadership is not always popular, but it's necesasary.
I think it is quite funny and ironic that you are firing Carolyn because "she loved her fame and she loved her celebrity on 'The Apprentice' and it was affecting her work". Arent you the celebrity that loves your fame Mr. Trump? How many times has your businesses declared bankruptcy?
I think your fame is affecting your work and your ability to make rational decisions.
I have really enjoyed your show for the past four seasons, in fact it is the only show I watch, and I do agree that it was time for Carolyn to go. However, I do question if Ivaka and Donald Jr. have the management skills and experience to contribute to decided on your next apprentice. They are both only a few years removed from college. Thanks and I look forward to the next season in January 2007.
Sorry Carolyn, that's life. Good luck, and you'll be missed.
I always afraid get fired
I fully understand the position you had to take with firing Carolyn and wish her all the best in her new endeavours. I also look forward to another stellar season of "The Apprentice" with Ivanka.
I always say.. " a good manager always does things right, but a truly great manager always does the right thing !" I'm sure in your wisdom you see the logic in that.
Again wishing you all the best.
Sincerely,
Michael Weir (sorry I'm not Mike Weir the golfer, my handicap is only 14)
Modesty is much more powerful than Ego. Don't let the same thing happen to you.
With Respect;
For Mr.Trump, I watched your show The Apprentice in Hong Kong when I was 17. I like it so much and I thought it is very entertaining because there are lots of interesting people in the show...And now I am 19. I am still watching and enjoying your show. I think it open my mind, my thinking, and my attitude toward my study and people. It inspires me. And I want to take this opportunity to say Thank you to Mr.Trump and his working team in the show. Thanks.
If you have read the past newletters and blogs, then you will understand that at Trump U they always mention about taking charge of your life and destiny. One way is to start or aquire a business. Then as a business owner, find and hire the best to work under you. And if you find that you have an employee that is not fully commited 100% to their work. Then guess what. You get to fire them. As far as Mr. Trump's replacement, having his daughter fill Carolyn's place may not be the best PR move. In my opinion he should have looked for someone else within his corporate structure.
Best of luck to Carolyn and I know she will go on to great success. She has the talent.
In South Africa we're a few seasons behind, but I look forward to seeing Ivanka in action and I'm sure we'll all be able to learn much from her as we do from you. Thank you for being an inspiration to me!
All decisions are not just based on one fact alone, I agree with D.J.T and the decision that was made with Carolyn's departure.We all have the power of choice that is deep in our minds. All that we think in our mind can shape our future and change our outlook on life. BE BOLD!....
Looking forward to changes continuously: 1. It keeps it exciting, 2. Gives someone else a go for some fame.
Mr. Trump, if you ever consider bringing your show to Australia, I will be glad to assist.
Best Regards,
Roy Halabi
So...good luck to noth of you.
Quite honestly, I don't think that this is a job that a woman can handle due to the level of intellectual complexity and tough decision making that really is only for a man.
I am shocked at the comments being made about Ivanka not being qualified to replace Carolyn on The Apprentice. All of us that take advantage of the Trump University are suppose to professional, wanting to better ourselves in our professions. Ivanka is a Honor graduate from one of the finest colleges in America. She works very hard for the Trump organization on a daily basis. She has Charm, Grace and Poise which is rarely seen in someone her age. As for all of you so called "Professions" screaming "Nepotism", you should be ashamed of yourselves.If you watch the show and have read any of Mr. Trump's books, you would know he is harder on his children then he is on his other employee's. Donald Jr. and Ivanka have earned their positions within the Trump organization and should be very proud of themselves.
As a Native of Las Vegas, NV, I am thrilled we have our first Trump project being built and look forward in seeing what else he has in store for our community. If Donald Jr. or Ivanka were to manage any part of this project, I know they would both be an asset to our community. I think the "Professionals" who have taken the time to write such negative remarks about how Mr. Trump has handled the "Dismissal" of Carolyn, need to take a good long look at their own management skills.
I will continue to be a loyal fan of the show and a loyal student of the Trump University. I look forward to welcoming you to Las Vegas, Mr. Trump.
Sincerely, Alicia Lozano
My son says Thank You.
Katherine
Carolyn came accross in the apprentice series as a lady who would make any company move ahead of the competition.
I want to wish Carolyn all the best and I'm sure she will not have a hard time finding a new position else where...
I'm just sorry she had to go, but your the Boss Mr Trump and like you said in a book of yours "employee's dont always have the bigger picture in mind"
I'm positive she will be successful where ever Carolyn ends up....
Most poeple who have worked with you always fall on thier feet who knows maybe Carolyn might host her own program for business women only ????
My best to Carolyn and Thank you Mr Trump for being you...
I will say here in Australia their is a following of 25 to late 30 somethings who all are in admiration of your success...thank you!
Robert Joy
Billionare in training