President Trump and the creator of “The Apprentice” and “The Celebrity Apprentice” — the NBC reality shows Mr. Trump hosted — have been trading ideas back and forth about revamping the hit reality show with a presidential twist, The Daily Beast reported.
Mr. Trump and “Apprentice” creator Mark Burnett have remained friends since they hosted the show together and have talked intermittently about producing more television together after the president finishes his time in the White House, sources with knowledge of the conversations told The Daily Beast.
“There have been several discussions between Burnett and Trump about The Apprentice: White House,” one source said. “It is something Burnett thinks could be a money-spinner and Trump is very keen on doing.”
“They actually talked about an ’Apprentice: White House,’ ” another source said, adding that “as far as I know, the discussion did not go far.”
The sources told The Daily Beast that Mr. Trump has reportedly missed hosting his reality TV show since he left entertainment to run for president, and he and Mr. Burnett discussed adding the political spin on the program to take advantage of Mr. Trump’s new status as a Republican Party figurehead.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Burnett have held a multiyear close relationship to the point that Mr. Burnett’s son, Cameron, was the ring bearer at Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump’s wedding.
Mr. Burnett came under fire during Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign when he refused to publicize unaired footage that allegedly showed behind-the-scenes controversies on “The Apprentice” that depicted Mr. Trump negatively.
A spokesperson for Mr. Burnett — also the producer of CBS’ “Survivor” and NBC’s “The Voice” — denied the claim, telling The Beast “the president and Mr. Burnett have not discussed making television shows in any shape or form.”
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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