The Traitors U.S. Fans Fume Over ‘Waste’ of Controversial Secret Traitor Twist

Season 4 of The Traitors is officially underway, but instead of excitement, a major new gameplay twist has left many fans frustrated. The Peacock reality hit introduced a Secret Traitor mechanic in the first three episodes — and viewers say the idea fizzled out before it could truly matter. The latest season premiered Thursday with a 23-person cast arriving at Ardross Castle in Scotland to meet host Alan Cumming. Almost immediately, Cumming revealed that the game would “begin faster than ever,” unveiling the Secret Traitor twist before alliances could even form.

How the Secret Traitor Twist Works

Borrowed from the U.K. version of the show, the Secret Traitor concept gives one contestant a unique role. That player secretly creates a list of names from which the Traitors must choose their first murder. Crucially, the Secret Traitor does not know who the other Traitors are — and they don’t know who the Secret Traitor is either. This season, that role went to Donna Kelce, the mother of NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce. The decision immediately raised eyebrows among longtime fans of the franchise.

A Twist That Ended Too Soon

After the cast’s first round table, regular Traitors were chosen blindfolded: Lisa Rinna, Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Rob Rausch. The Traitors quickly murdered Ian Terry and then Rob Cesternino, accelerating the game’s pace.

However, just before the Traitors could officially meet the Secret Traitor, Kelce was banished from the castle. Upon her exit, she revealed she had been a Traitor all along — effectively ending the twist almost as soon as it began. For many viewers, that moment marked a major missed opportunity.

Fans Take to Social Media

Social media reaction was swift and unforgiving. On Reddit and X, fans criticized production for what they described as a poorly executed twist and questionable casting.

“She shouldn’t have been the secret traitor,” one Reddit user wrote. “If she was going to be a traitor, she should’ve been a regular one — or just a Faithful.”

Others went further, accusing the show of prioritizing celebrity connections over gameplay. “Donna Kelce flopped,” one X user posted. “Stop nepo casting on Traitors.”

Several fans argued that the Secret Traitor role should have gone to a seasoned reality competition player who could maximize the strategic advantage. “If you’re going to do a secret traitor, it’s got to be a gamer,” one commenter noted. “She didn’t know what to do with it.”

Why Expectations Were So High

The frustration stems partly from how effective the twist was in the U.K. edition, where the Secret Traitor survived longer and meaningfully shaped early strategy. In contrast, the U.S. version barely explored the concept before eliminating it altogether. For a show built on deception and long-term psychological warfare, fans expected a bigger payoff — not a twist undone before it could destabilize the game.

What’s Next for Season 4

Despite the backlash, Season 4 of The Traitors U.S. is still in its early stages. Episode 4 is set to premiere on January 15 at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock, and future twists could yet redeem the rocky start. Still, the reaction to the Secret Traitor twist highlights a growing tension between spectacle and strategy — and fans are making it clear they want gameplay depth over headline-grabbing surprises.