In a move stirring speculation and interest, President Donald Trump has commented on potential plans for a revival of the hit reality series The Apprentice. During a press conference held in the Oval Office on Thursday, he addressed the floating of his son, Donald Trump Jr., as a possible host for the reboot of the show, which originally aired from 2004 until 2015.
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Trump, now 79, acknowledged the discussions surrounding a possible return of the franchise, stating, “I’ve been hearing it.” Recalling the popularity of The Apprentice, which ran successfully for fourteen seasons under his stewardship, he added, “So, we’ll see what happens,” highlighting that Trump Jr. “would be probably good” for the role due to his “little charisma.”
The resurgence of interest in The Apprentice comes at a time when Amazon, which acquired MGM in 2022, has been in preliminary talks about the possibility of reviving the show. However, an Amazon representative clarified that the project is not currently in active development, and any guesses regarding potential hosts or details remain speculative. The spokesperson stated, “Since our acquisition of MGM, we have had preliminary internal discussions about what’s next for The Apprentice as a property.”
Reportedly, discussions about the reboot are still in the initial stages, and there has been no official approach to the Trump family regarding the project. Should it move forward, the new season would likely be available for streaming on Prime Video.
Donald Trump Jr., now 48, has not previously indicated that he was being considered for a return to the series. A source close to him also noted that this report was the first instance he had heard of such a proposal. The reality show has been a significant part of the Trump family’s legacy, with Donald Trump Jr. making several appearances during its run, alongside his siblings Ivanka and Eric.
Before transitioning into politics, Donald Trump was the face of The Apprentice and its celebrity variant, The Celebrity Apprentice. His involvement came to an end in 2015 when he launched his campaign for the presidency, and NBC subsequently cut ties with him following remarks he made about Mexican immigrants. The series then saw actor Arnold Schwarzenegger take over hosting duties for one season in 2017.
Schwarzenegger has previously suggested that the show’s ratings suffered during his tenure, due to the politicisation stemming from Trump’s connection with the franchise. In earlier interviews, he indicated that many viewers chose not to continue tuning in once they learned that Trump remained an executive producer on the show, claiming that half the audience “turned it off” for that very reason.
The renewed discussions about The Apprentice come at a time when Amazon appears to be broadening its content portfolio related to the Trump family. Alongside the exploration of The Apprentice, the company recently acquired the documentary Melania, centred on the life of the former First Lady, for a reported $40 million.
Although the future of The Apprentice remains uncertain, President Trump’s comments suggest a potential lineage of the show might still be in the cards. With the entertainment industry continuously evolving, the prospect of a revival entwined with the Trump family could attract considerable viewership, weeding through a mix of nostalgia and curiosity for the dynamics of such a family-centric competition. Whether Trump Jr. will don a hosting hat remains to be seen, but the buzz surrounding this potential reboot has certainly piqued interest among fans and critics alike.
As developments unfold, it remains to be seen if The Apprentice will return to screens and whether Donald Trump Jr. will step into a role that could renew the brand’s legacy or create a new chapter in reality television.