NBC announced Monday morning that movie superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger will take over for Donald Trump as host of The Apprentice.
Arnold will replace Trump beginning in the 2016-2017 television season — likely long after Trump is out of the Presidential race. Remember, Donald was fired from The Apprentice after making controversial remarks about immigrants in June.
“We are thrilled to be opening a powerful new chapter in the story of the Apprentice franchise,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment in a press release. “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of a global brand in entertainment and business, and his accomplishments in the political arena speak for themselves. It was Arnold’s personal passion for the format that Mark Burnett and Donald Trump built over the last decade, as well as his fresh take on how to take it to new heights for today’s audiences, that made him the man to hire. The Celebrity Apprentice… will be back!”
“After leaving the show to run for political office, Donald made it clear that he wanted The Celebrity Apprentice to be able to continue to raise millions of dollars annually for worthy causes, and now NBC and I have found an amazing new leader to do just that,” said executive producer Mark Burnett. “Gov. Schwarzenegger will use his vast and highly successful business, political and media experience to drive this hit franchise to new heights.”
Added Arnold via Twitter:
Wow. I'm blown away and honored by all your tweets. I can't wait to bring my experience to the board room & raise millions for charity.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 14, 2015
The Celebrity Apprentice is set to return with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the helm in the 2016-2017 season, according to NBC. The most recent season aired in January.
Arnold’s big personality should be a perfect replacement for Donald Trump, who is currently running for President of the United States. He’s set to appear at a Republic Presidential debate this Wednesday.
Update: Trump has offered positive thoughts about Schwarzenegger replacing him. He’s also blissfully unaware he was fired:
Congrats to my friend @Schwarzenegger who is doing next season’s Celebrity Apprentice. He'll be great & will raise lots of $ for charity.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2015
To all my fans, sorry I couldn’t do The Apprentice any longer—but equal time (presidential run) prohibits me from doing so. Love!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2015
The Celebrity Apprentice is an offshoot of the original Apprentice series and finds celebrities competing to raise money for a charity near and dear to their heart.