Trump Denies He’ll Spend Time on “Celebrity Apprentice,” But Acknowledges “Big Stake” in Show

Role Presents Yet Another Apparent Conflict of Interest for President-Elect

In response to reports this week that he’ll remain executive producer of the “Celebrity Apprentice” while serving as president, Donald Trump claimed early Saturday on Twitter (above) that he’ll spend “zero time” on the show. 

“I have NOTHING to do with The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark B & have a big stake in it,” Trump wrote, referring to show creator Mark Burnett. 

He went on to call a report by CNN suggesting that he’ll work on “Celebrity Apprentice” during his presidency “ridiculous (SIC),” “untrue” and “fake news.” 

It’s unclear which CNN report Trump was referencing, but on Friday the president-elect’s own adviser, Kellyanne Conway, suggested during an interview with the network that he would work on the show in his “spare time.” 

Regardless of how much time, if any, time Trump spends on “Celebrity Apprentice,” the bigger issue is the potential conflicts of interest his role as executive producer could create.

Trump spokeswoman Holly Hicks described him Friday as a “part owner” of the show, and he is expected to collect fees per episode at least in the low five figures. 

The New York Times reports that Trump’s conflicts of interest could range from “coziness with the brands that advertise on the show to his relationship with the network that airs it,” which is NBC. 

“NBC’s parent company, Comcast, is a media conglomerate regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, which Mr. Trump will now oversee,” the NYT wrote. “And sponsors of the show’s new season — including Carnival Cruise Line and Welch’s — may have their own priorities in Washington.”

Robert M. Stern, former president of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, which focuses on ethics reform, too the NYT that if NBC wants to cancel the show because of ratings, the network might have second thoughts if they fear retaliation from the FCC. 

And ratings could certainly become in issue if Trump’s opponents launch a boycott. Preston Beckman, a former top executive at NBC and Fox, told the NYT he “wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a hashtag on Twitter, #BoycottTheApprentice, as we get closer to the premiere,” which is set for Jan. 2. 

“The most significant action that people who feel uncomfortable with this can take is just to not watch the show,” Beckman said.  

Reaction from Twitter below.