Donald Trump weighs in on "Celebrity Apprentice" involvement
Following the news that President-elect Donald Trump would retain an executive producer credit for the forthcoming season of “Celebrity Apprentice,” Mr. Trump weighed in Saturday about his involvement in the production of the reality television show.
On Twitter, he declared that he has “NOTHING” to do with the television program and that he will “devote ZERO TIME” to its production while serving in the White House.
I have NOTHING to do with The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark B & have a big stake in it. Will devote ZERO TIME!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016
He then criticized reports that he would be working on the show during his presidency as “FAKE NEWS.”
Reports by @CNN that I will be working on The Apprentice during my Presidency, even part time, are ridiculous & untrue - FAKE NEWS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016
But on Friday, it was Mr. Trump’s own top transition adviser who had discussed on CNN the possibility of the president-elect working on the program during his Oval Office tenure.
Kellyanne Conway appeared in an interview with the cable news network to suggest that the president-elect may still be open to helping with the MGM-produced “Celebrity Apprentice.”
“The fact is that he’s conferring with all types of experts to tell him what he’s allowed to do and not to do as the president of the United States, and if this is one of the approved activities, perhaps he’ll consider staying on,” Conway told CNN.
MGM, the production company, previously declined to discuss the financial details of Mr. Trump’s contract with CBS News.
The next season of “Celebrity Apprentice,” back after a two-year hiatus with new host Arnold Schwarzenegger, will air Jan. 2 on NBC, just weeks before Mr. Trump is inaugurated.