Alan Cumming knows a good traitor when he sees one, or at least a good contestant for The Traitors, the Emmy-winning reality series he hosts. And this time, his casting suggestion is turning heads – President Donald Trump.
Backstage at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night, following The Traitors’ win for Outstanding Reality Competition Series, Cumming offered up a name that no one saw coming when asked who he would like to see on a future season.
“I’m sure our president would be very good on the show,” Cumming quipped to reporters in the press room. “Having a lot of chaos and sort of turmoil and treachery, so maybe he’d like to come on and be paid for that—probably better than he gets as president.”
The Scottish actor and LGBTQ+ icon delivered the tongue-in-cheek remark with his signature wit, clearly amused by the idea of the polarizing political figure navigating the high-stakes, drama-filled world of The Traitors. The NBC reality competition has quickly become a pop culture juggernaut since its premiere, known for its campy flair, dramatic gameplay, and mind games steeped in deception.
For the uninitiated, The Traitors places celebrities and civilians alike inside a lavish Scottish castle, where they must work together to complete missions and build a cash prize. But lurking among them are several “traitors,” whose job is to secretly sabotage the group while avoiding detection.
It’s part murder mystery, part psychological experiment, and 100% drama, making it a perfect fit for Cumming’s flamboyant style and the larger-than-life personalities the show attracts.
While Donald Trump is highly unlikely to take a break from his second term in the White House to participate in a reality competition series, his history with the genre is well-documented. Before entering politics, he hosted and executive produced The Apprentice on NBC from 2004 to 2015, helping usher in the modern era of reality TV celebrity.
The idea of Trump returning to television in a new role as a “traitor” in a castle full of reality stars may be pure fantasy, but in Cumming’s world, it’s not entirely off the table.
Cumming’s Emmy Moment
Earlier in the evening, Cumming took the stage to accept the Emmy on behalf of the The Traitors production team. Clad in a custom kilt and tuxedo combo that matched the show’s regal-yet-mischievous aesthetic, he thanked the cast, crew, and fans for embracing the show’s unique tone.
“It’s a difficult time we live in,” Cumming said, “but it’s so great that our show brings a little bit of joy into this life.”
The show’s success is undeniable. Since its debut, The Traitors has stood out from the reality competition pack by leaning into theatricality and psychological suspense, often more Knives Out than Survivor. And at the center of it all is Cumming, who doesn’t just host but fully embodies the game’s dramatic narrative, adding a layer of camp sensibility to primetime network TV.
