Donald Trump at a press conference

It was widely believed/known that Donald Trump didn’t announce his candidacy for president out of a true desire to BE president. Trump ran because he wanted to “have fun” and spread his racism, xenophobia and ignorance to as many people as possible. He wanted to be an even bigger celebrity. He wanted… a better TV deal. Initially, many people thought his goal was to get a better deal from NBC. As the campaign moved on, there was the strong possibility that he wanted his very own TV channel, Trump TV. But what really spurred him on? Gwen Stefani. At least that’s the story Michael Moore is telling.

Michael Moore has made the startling claim that Gwen Stefani was the reason Donald Trump ran for the presidency. The Fahrenheit 11/9 alleged in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday that Trump, 72, decided to announce his candidacy for president after he learned Stefani, 48, made more money as a coach on NBC’s The Voice than he did when he starred on The Apprentice. Moore, 64, claimed Trump organized his infamous Trump Tower campaign announcement as a way to show NBC he was more popular. NBC began airing The Apprentice in 2004.

“He’d been talking about running for president since 1998, but he didn’t really want to be president,” Moore told THR. “There’s no penthouse in the White House. And he doesn’t want to live in a black city. He was trying to pit NBC against another network, but it just went off the rails.”

A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Despite Trump’s attempt to one-up the network, NBC cut ties with the business mogul following his comments about Mexican nationals. A rep for Stefani did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

[From People]

Yeah, I can see that. I don’t think it was entirely about Stefani’s paycheck, but probably more like a general feeling that he was losing relevance as a “personality/celebrity,” and he thought running would be “fun.” I truly believe that he thought he would half-ass it for six months and then walk away. But then Putin’s henchmen came in and were like “well, we could help you, you know.” Still, I expect Bob Mueller to subpoena Gwen Stefani at any moment.

New York premiere of 'The Death of Stalin'

Photos courtesy of WENN.
Donald Trump at a press conference
The Voice season 12 as seen on NBC.
New York premiere of 'The Death of Stalin'
Grand Opening "Gwen Stefani-Just A Girl" Las Vegas