'Highest rated show you've ever done': Trump's Dr. Phil teaser airs big hugs and boasts
A new teaser for former president and convicted felon Donald Trump's interview with Dr. Phil includes big hugs under a crystal chandelier and boasts about television ratings.
Trump shared the video trailer on Truth Social hours before the airing of his interview with Phillip Calvin McGraw, the psychologist who shot to fame talking mental health with Oprah in the 1990s.
"This is going to be the highest-rated show you've ever done," Trump declares.
The two men then lean in for a handshake and a hug. The trailer fast forwards to Trump and Dr. Phil seated in front of American flags and a coffee table in the middle of a Mar-a-Lago ballroom that's nearly empty, save for the cameras and their crews.
The actual interview is teased with one exchange that does not include Dr. Phil asking questions about policy, campaign issues or the former president's recent criminal conviction.
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In fact, Dr. Phil appears only as an off-camera chuckle.
"I watch a lot," Trump says with a grin.
"Yeah," says Dr. Phil.
"I won't tell you how much," Trump hedges. (A chuckle from Dr. Phil.) "But I watch a lot."
The full interview will air on Dr. Phil's streaming channel Merit Street Media at 8 p.m. ET. Dr. Phil will then host a live town hall to dissect the interview at 9 p.m.
Trump's Truth Social responses suggest his ratings predictions may prove true as the excitement was overwhelming.
"WINNING AND GROWING BIGGER AND BIGGER BY THE DAY!! WE ARE MAGA! WE ARE MASSIVE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE SILENT NO MORE! IT’S GOING TO BE MAGATASTIC!" replied @Patriot4Life.
Then again, there appears to be confusion brewing on X, where Trump's followers professed they were baffled by Merit+ and hesitant to download it.