Arnold Schwarzenegger is replacing Donald Trump as the new host of NBC’s hit reality show, The Celebrity Apprentice. The former Republican governor of California said that he is excited to raise a lot of money for charity.
Social media is on fire, Austrian-born actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is the new host of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, a variation of The Apprentice series. The former politician was hired after Donald Trump ended his collaboration with the Peacock Network to run for president. Trump was the face of the program since it started in 2008, the business mogul made the show a success just like its predecessor, The Apprentice, and his phrase “You’re fired” became legendary for TV fans.
Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment, said in a statement:
“We are thrilled to be opening a powerful new chapter in the story of the Apprentice franchise. 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!”
Burnett, the executive producer of the popular program, added:
“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. Gov. Schwarzenegger will use his vast and highly successful business, political and media experience to drive this hit franchise to new heights.”
NBC revealed that it was renewing The Celebrity Apprentice earlier this year. However, in June, Trump announced that he is running for president and seeking the nomination in the Republican Party. During his announcement speech, the reality star turned political sensation, made disparaging remarks about some illegal immigrants. Trump called some of them “rapists” and “drug dealers.”
The comments catapulted Trump to the top of the polls, but they were deemed too offensive by the bosses at NBC, who fired the businessman. The network later announced that the show would go on without its star and Monday, Schwarzenegger became the new host. It is not yet clear who will be advising the Hollywood icon in the “board room.” The pick will surely continue to blur the lines between entertainment and politics in America.
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
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
