In no one we trust: a review of The Trust: A Game of Greed
The price of ambition, The Trust reveals the depth of human greed.
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Reader discretion is advised.
Would you split US$250,000 with 11 strangers?
In the recently released 2024 TV reality competition, The Trust: A Game of Greed, 11 participants are brought to a luxurious villa to fight for a portion of a US$250,000 prize pool. Challenges force participants to choose between sharing the wealth equally or pursuing their interests for a larger portion of the pot, with opportunities to vote other members off the show.
Though the possibility of collective victory exists if no one votes anyone off, the game unfolds with dishonesty, deception, and greed. With everyone here for their own purpose and goals, why owe loyalty to strangers?
As much as this is a game of greed, this reality show reveals the systematic barriers that often obstruct individuals from climbing the social ladder, with themes of racism, classism, and sexism coming into play.
A pivotal moment in the first episode is when Black cop, Juelz, earns himself a spot in The Vault—where participants are offered a choice between helping themselves or the group as a whole—alongside 55-year-old “unemployed” mom of two, Simone. Juelz made himself a target by lying to cover up his profession as a cop to avoid any potential negative attention. When he silenced the vote of a Black woman, Tulo, it was game over.
From the onset, the cast almost immediately split into men versus women when the women banded together to act as Tulo’s voice.
Juelz earned himself a spot in The Vault along with Simone. Despite trying to be fair, Juelz faced opposition from women contestants who flagged him as suspicious. In The Vault, Juelz and Simone chose the offer that allowed the group to get more money if they silenced two players’ votes. He chose the first two contestants on the list in The Vault to be fair, but it’s this fairness that sealed his fate.
Despite another member being involved in decision-making, the girls banded together and voted him off the show. As a fellow Black woman, I understand the feeling of being silenced and believing your voice doesn’t matter. However, the intent was neither malicious nor intentional.
Many times, reality television shows us inconsistency in human behaviour. When another contestant, Jake, was encouraged by on-screen beau, Julie, to reconcile with Tolu to save his reputation, Tolu forgives him despite Jake not coming to this decision on his own and his many racially charged comments. Yet Juelz was not given the same grace.
Perhaps this so-called character development is just cast members learning to play the game. Regardless, The Trust proves to me that even if we lived in a world where equality would be possible, self-interest would take precedent.
After all, everyone could have walked away with money, but due to greed, only a few did.
Social Media & Online Editor (Volume 48, 49, and 50) — Belicia is a UTM alumna who just doesn’t know how to leave. She’s served as the Social Media and Online Editor for the past two volumes where being up til 1 a.m. was considered normal. Outside of The Medium, you can find her taking photos, streaming Valorant, and figuring out her next move. You can stalk her on her website, Instagram, or LinkedIn.