(CNN) The central appeal of reality TV is voyeurism. We get to go to places -- bedrooms, boardrooms -- that cameras normally aren't allowed. We get to see how other people live, love and lust, without having to reveal any of our own personal secrets.

That reality TV ethos -- and appeal -- animates how Donald Trump approaches the presidency. From turning Cabinet meetings into live-for-TV events to hyping up a live prime-time reveal of his next Supreme Court nominee, Trump's years as a reality TV show producer have quite clearly never left him.

Which brings me to Monday morning. And specifically Trump's decision to make the announcement of the outlines of a new trade deal with Mexico with the press watching and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto kind of, sort of, on the phone.

You could see how the script was supposed to go: Cameras roll, Trump defers to Peña Nieto, who praises the deal (and Trump). Then back to Trump for some closing remarks about how no one thought he could do it, but he did. And, scene.

Unfortunately, as is often the case with the well-laid plans of reality TV, things didn't go to script.

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