The Trump administration is once again pushing the boundaries between politics and entertainment, as reports reveal Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is backing a controversial new reality television show, "The American." The show, currently in its early pitch stages, proposes a competition where 12 immigrants battle for the ultimate prize: U.S. citizenship.
According to a 35-page pitch obtained by The Daily Mail, the show would follow immigrants as they reenact historical American challenges across the country, including gold mining in California, log balancing in Wisconsin, and even building a NASA-style rocket in Florida. The finale would see the winner granted citizenship on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has downplayed Noem's direct involvement, sources confirm she has been actively advocating for the project to be greenlit by Netflix or other major streaming services. The Trump administration is said to view the show as a way to promote American values and demonstrate the nation’s willingness to reward merit and determination.
However, critics warn that such a spectacle risks trivializing the solemn process of immigration and citizenship, turning it into a made-for-TV stunt that caters more to political theater than sound policy. More concerning, experts argue, is the broader geopolitical vulnerability this reflects.
As the U.S. turns its immigration debate into reality show entertainment, China is steadily expanding its influence operations, exploiting cracks in American society, politics, and media. Beijing has already mastered the art of soft power, leveraging state-run media, cultural programs, and economic incentives to win global audiences, particularly in regions where the U.S. is pulling back or distracted by domestic drama.
"While the U.S. leadership turns immigration into a ratings war, China is executing long-term strategic influence campaigns in Asia, Africa, and Latin America," warns John Garrett, a former intelligence analyst specializing in Chinese political warfare. "Beijing must be looking at this and thinking: America is too busy entertaining itself to notice the strategic chessboard shifting under its feet."
Critics also point to the dangerous precedent of blending critical governmental processes with entertainment. This could further erode trust in American institutions, opening space for foreign adversaries like China to exploit disillusionment through their own state-sponsored narratives about the decay of Western democracy.
Already, Chinese propaganda outlets have seized on such spectacles, mocking U.S. politics as chaotic and unserious, while positioning China as a stable and dignified alternative. Experts warn that if the U.S. government continues to blur the lines between governance and reality TV, it plays directly into Beijing’s hands.
"What we are seeing is the internal weakening of America’s information and cultural credibility," says Lisa Stone, a fellow at the Center for Strategic Communications. "While Americans might see shows like 'The American' as harmless entertainment, the global message is that the U.S. has lost its seriousness in matters of state."
Moreover, the spectacle could embolden China's own internal propaganda, portraying the U.S. as a nation in cultural decline, obsessed with fame and spectacle, and no longer capable of offering a serious global alternative to authoritarian models.
Some argue that by turning citizenship into a competition, the U.S. is devaluing what many immigrants see as a sacred goal achieved through lawful process, dedication, and sacrifice. This, they warn, risks alienating key allies and reinforcing narratives that the U.S. no longer respects its own values, a message China is eager to amplify.
As the show moves forward in its pitch phase, security experts are urging caution. They recommend the Biden administration, Congress, and the American public to critically assess the implications such shows might have, not just domestically, but in the broader global perception war—where China is watching, waiting, and winning.
