Donald Trump currently serves as the President of the United States once more, yet his initial rise to fame primarily stemmed from the world of reality television. He debuted The Apprentice in 2004, a competitive series set in a boardroom format that rapidly transformed into a cultural sensation, solidifying Trump’s status as a prominent television personality. At one point, he was demanding a staggering $6 million per episode to host the show, a figure comparable to the combined earnings of the cast from Friends. The immense success of The Apprentice significantly contributed to his estimated net worth of $4 billion as reported in 2025.

Throughout the years, Trump made various smaller appearances on reality TV to enhance his visibility and promote his brand, including an unexpected cameo on Bravo’s I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding. During this appearance, he offered prenuptial advice to the show’s star, NeNe Leakes. This surprising moment became one of the most memorable cameos in Bravo’s history, set in the iconic boardroom of Trump Towers. NeNe was there to discuss her upcoming second marriage to Gregg Leakes, and before diving into that topic, Trump enthusiastically mentioned his upcoming projects and invited her to judge his Miss Universe and Miss US contests in Las Vegas, to which an excited NeNe agreed.

Sign the Prenup or You’re Fired: Trump’s Advice to NeNe Leakes

As they sat across from each other at the renowned boardroom table, Leakes wasted no time and got straight to the core of the matter. “So, I’m getting remarried,” NeNe informed Trump. “Congratulations,” he replied. “I believe I heard you were previously married to the same man?” NeNe confirmed, sharing her experience. “One of the key lessons I learned while working with you on <em>Celebrity Apprentice</em> is that everything is negotiable. I want to sign a prenup,” she stated. Trump quickly probed, asking, “Does he have money?” NeNe affirmed, “He does, but…” Trump continued, “But you have more money?” to which Leakes confirmed, “I do.” “Was that divorce amicable?” Trump inquired. NeNe replied, “It was not,” leading Trump to ask, “Was it hostile?” to which she responded, “It was?”

Trump elaborated further, stating, “Listen, NeNe, over the years, I’ve witnessed numerous disputes. The most intense conflicts often arise between a man and a woman who once loved each other. A prenuptial agreement is the least romantic document; it lacks any beauty. However, it is essential for you to obtain one, and if he refuses to sign it…” NeNe immediately responded, “Then we won’t have a wedding.” Trump insisted, “Get one!” The scene concluded with NeNe subsequently discussing the meeting with the show’s producer, remarking, “Trump doesn’t play; it’s simple: you sign the prenup or you’re fired.”

Trump’s Surprising Cameo on I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding

Bravo’s I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding was a brief series consisting of only seven episodes, which aired in 2013. The show featured Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes, who was arguably experiencing the peak of her reality television career at that time. The series chronicled NeNe’s journey as she prepared for her second wedding to Gregg Leakes. The couple originally tied the knot in 1997 but, after 14 years of marriage, they divorced in 2011. Fortunately, they reconciled shortly after and remarried in June 2014, this time in front of Bravo’s cameras. Tragically, Gregg passed away from colon cancer in 2021.

Fans had been cheering for the couple for years, so witnessing their exchange of vows post-divorce was incredibly gratifying for the audience. The reality series embraced the viewers’ emotional investment in the wedding, blending touching moments with wedding planning challenges and featuring a range of celebrity cameos, one of the most unexpected being Trump himself.

Trump made his cameo appearance in Episode 2, where NeNe sought his expertise to discuss the necessity of a prenuptial agreement. At that time, NeNe’s net worth was approximately $14 million, largely due to her success on The Real Housewives, where she earned an estimated $1 million per season, making her one of the highest-paid cast members in the history of the show.

On the other hand, Gregg, a prosperous real estate investor and TV personality, had a net worth of about $4 million. Their financial situations had significantly improved since their first marriage in the ’90s, prompting NeNe to seek advice on safeguarding her assets should their second union encounter difficulties.

Trump’s Cameo: Unexpected Yet Strategically Beneficial

Upon initial observation, the crossover between Trump and NeNe might appear peculiar—Trump’s show aired on NBC, while NeNe was affiliated with Bravo, and they were not known to be close acquaintances. However, the cameo was not entirely unexpected. NeNe had participated in Season 11 of Celebrity Apprentice in 2011, where she had the opportunity to become acquainted with Trump. Though she left the show mid-season due to a conflict with Star Jones, she seemed to have maintained a cordial professional relationship with Trump afterward. This rapport likely facilitated his appearance on Bravo. In post-show interviews, NeNe characterized Trump as respectful and “true to who he is,” indicating there was no animosity between them.

“When I went on the show, I found him to be very nice and genuine,” she stated during a reunion episode on Chelsea. “I thought his children were kind and humble.”

Even after Trump declared his first presidential candidacy, NeNe continued to defend him as an individual, despite differing political views. “He might make a good president,” she remarked on Watch What Happens Live prior to the 2016 election. “I’m not voting for Donald, but I appreciate him as a person, and I believe he will be a formidable candidate.”

She reiterated similar sentiments in 2017, directly referencing his cameo on her show, stating, “Many people inquired about him because I worked with him, and then I got married again, and he featured in a scene on my show. I must say, when I was employed by Donald, we had a great rapport. He was always authentic.”

Their shared history in reality television—and consequently the appearance on Bravo—seems to stem from mutual respect and a common understanding of the dynamics of the entertainment industry. NeNe could have easily reached out to Trump privately for his advice on prenuptial agreements, and she likely had numerous other advisors, including attorneys. However, orchestrating the discussion for the cameras generated buzz for both parties and their respective shows. This scenario exemplifies a quintessential reality TV maneuver: by blurring the lines between reality and entertainment, they maximize visibility and engagement. Although Trump’s cameo was a singular event, he did not make a return to I Dream of NeNe or any other Real Housewives franchise. It appears that the public relationship between Trump and NeNe has also diminished over time.

By 2020, NeNe openly criticized Trump, labeling him as “silly,” suggesting that any remaining goodwill from her Apprentice days was likely a thing of the past.

Trump’s appearance on I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding stands as one of the most unexpected intersections of politics, pop culture, and reality television. It serves as a curious footnote in both Trump’s and NeNe’s careers. Nowadays, the notion of Trump making a cameo on any reality show, especially a Bravo production, seems highly unlikely. Trump bid farewell to reality television before diving into politics, with The Apprentice concluding its run in 2016 after Arnold Schwarzenegger briefly took over hosting duties. Nonetheless, unforgettable moments like Trump’s crossover into Bravo will forever be etched in our memories and, more importantly, on the Internet.