Trump Considers Don Jr for Potential Role as Next ‘Apprentice’ Host: “He’d Likely Do Well”
Speculation regarding a potential revival of The Apprentice at Amazon has reached the highest echelons of government, including the Oval Office. Former host Donald Trump responded to questions about the show’s possible return and the idea of his son, Donald Trump Jr., stepping into the lead role.
During a press event on Thursday, Trump acknowledged the circulating rumors about a revival, noting, “Well, I’ve been hearing it.” His comments came after a signing ceremony for an Executive Order. In response to Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, he added, “So I’ve been hearing that you know a little bit.”
Reflecting on the show’s history, Trump remarked, “We had a great success, 14 seasons, and The Apprentice was a tremendous success. So we’ll see what happens.” His enthusiasm for the show’s legacy was palpable, especially as the conversation shifted to his son potentially occupying the iconic “You’re fired!” chair.
When asked about Donald Trump Jr.’s suitability for the role, the elder Trump offered a mixed endorsement. “He’s a good guy,” he stated about his 48-year-old son, who had earlier served as a judge and adviser on the original series. Trump added, “He’d be probably good. He’s got a little charisma going. You need a little charisma for that sucker.”
As discussions continue about the show’s future, Trump reflected on the potential revival of the now-MGM TV-owned series created in 2004 by Mark Burnett. “Yeah, they told me about it, we’ll see,” he concluded.
Donald Trump and Mark Burnett on The Celebrity Apprentice set in 2010
Bill Tompkins/Getty Images
While the potential resurgence of The Apprentice surprised many outside the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with Amazon’s plans urged caution. Insiders reportedly suggested that discussions surrounding the show have been more exploratory in nature, focusing on intellectual property since Amazon’s acquisition of MGM.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed, “Since our acquisition of MGM, we have had preliminary internal discussions about what’s next for The Apprentice as a property. The show is not in active development, and any reporting on details of the show or names of potential hosts would be purely speculative.”
In this context, Trump Jr. performed notably well in the discussion. Following his exit from The Apprentice in 2015 to embark on his first term as president, Trump had less than favorable opinions of Arnold Schwarzenegger, his successor as host for the 16th season. Instead, he endorsed his daughter, Ivanka, to take over the role.
