Kristi Noem's DHS Weighs Reality Show on U.S. Citizenship Amid Criticism

President Donald Trump notoriously transformed his reputation from a businessman associated with numerous failed ventures into a tough critic by way of reality TV , perpetuating tales of immense riches every week for the show's audience The Apprentice on NBC.

Now, one U.S. government department is considering a new venture that could well appeal to his nostalgia for those days atop the TV ratings when he was lauded for his primetime success by a media industry he now largely despises.

The Daily Mail reports that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Is "endorsing" an outrageous suggestion to pit immigrants against one another in a competition for U.S. citizenship aired as part of a reality TV show named The American .

Noem’s department has strongly denied the report as “completely false,” saying that she has not backed the show and is not even aware of the pitch, but acknowledges that it exists.

Social media users have already started calling the concept "صند grotesque, ” a version of The Hunger Games, or evocative of the 1987 dystopian film The Running Man , where individuals strive for liberty by taking part in a government-organized television contest.

Born from the imagination of Canadian creator and producer Rob Worsoff, participants who have immigrated would take part in various contests nationwide "to expedite their path to United States citizenship,"

Worsoff, the author of the 35-page program proposal, is recognized for his work in reality television. The Millionaire Matchmaker , Dating Naked , and Duck Dynasty .

The proposal arises amid ongoing criticism for Noem, suggesting she has been “cosplaying” in her role as head of homeland security with her “many photo ops and costume changes,” and “made-for-TV” approach to her role.

Amid a draconian crackdown on illegal migrants by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, she has been branded with the nickname “ICE Barbie.”

As outlined in the proposal for the reality TV series, a selected bunch of 12 pre-screened participants will set foot on "The Citizen Ship" when it reaches New York City’s Ellis Island. They'll be greeted with custom-made baseball gloves by an acclaimed naturalized U.S. citizen who will also conduct the ceremony.

Suggested names for the hosting role include those of Colombian birth Sofia Vergara , Canadian-born Ryan Reynolds , and Ukrainian-born Mila Kunis None of them are associated with the idea behind the show.

Things only get stranger from there.

According to the Mail , the title The American stems from the moniker of the train where participants will subsequently travel across the nation, interacting with Americans and discovering more about each location prior to taking part in "culture-themed" challenges particular to each area.

In the proposal, specific activities include gathering gold from mines in San Francisco, walking on logs in Wisconsin, launching a rocket at Cape Canaveral, white-water rafting in Colorado, digging for clams in Maine, putting together a Model-T Ford in Detroit, and delivering mail on horseback in Kansas.

"We'll share in the laughter, tears, frustration, and joy — listening to their origin stories — as we're reminded of what an incredible experience being American can be," the synopsis reads.

Homeland Security representative Tricia McLaughlin admitted to The Daily Beast The idea for the show is currently under review by agency personnel, though they refuted claims that Noem had any part in this evaluation.

McLaughlin rebutted allegations that the secretary endorses this notion on X with a tweet stating, "That is entirely untrue. The 'coverage' by @DailyMail disrespects journalistic standards. Secretary Noem neither backs nor has knowledge of any proposal for a scripted or reality TV show."

She goes on to say: "@DHSgov gets numerous TV show proposals annually, covering everything from documentaries about ICE and CBP border activities to white-collar crime investigations conducted by HSI. Every suggestion is carefully evaluated before being rejected or accepted. As of now, this particular idea hasn’t been approved or dismissed by their team."

As the show continues, the eliminated contestants will depart with "distinctively American" prizes, oddly said to feature a million dollars. American Airlines points, a $10,000 Starbucks a gift card along with an unlimited amount of 76 gasoline for life. It's not thought that any corporations are associated with this proposition.

Worsoff allegedly mentions in the proposal that the show wouldn’t just be commercially successful but also “offers substantial potential for corporate sponsorships.”

Participants who are eliminated from the contest can still proceed with the regular citizenship application process. Given they've undergone screening for the show, they would have received some assistance throughout this journey.

To conclude the series, the finale suggests that the victor will be inaugurated as an American citizen at the foot of the U.S. Capitol Building under the oath administered by "an esteemed American politician or judge," with the spectacle enhanced by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performing above.

Given his fondness for grand displays, it seems nearly impossible to picture President Trump abstaining from participating.

This idea would still require financial support and distribution from either a television network or a streaming platform.

Stay tuned.

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