Trump to retain ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ executive producer credit
President-elect Donald Trump will retain an executive producer credit for his NBC reality series “Celebrity Apprentice” after taking office.
{mosads}Variety reported Thursday that Trump’s executive producer credit will likely garner him a low five-figure fee per episode, which will be paid by the production company, MGM, rather than by NBC.
He is also a profit participant in the franchise, which has been sold around the world since 2004, Variety reports.
MGM and NBC declined to comment on the financial terms of Trump’s deal to Variety and no details about how involved he will be with the show were immediately available.
“Mr. Trump has a big stake in the show and conceived of it with Mark Burnett. Additional details regarding his business interests will be shared December 15th,” Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks told The Hollywood Reporter. Trump is expected to outline plans for separating himself from his expansive business network on that date.
Trump took a break from “Celebrity Apprentice” when he launched his political career and presidential campaign; his final episode as an “Apprentice” frontman aired in February 2015.
The show is set to return on Jan. 2 — after a two-year hiatus — with new host Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In the credit sequence, Trump’s name will air after creator Mark Burnett’s and before Schwarzenegger’s, who is also an executive producer, Variety reports.
Trump’s continued involvement in the show raises more questions about potential conflicts of interest between his various businesses and his political role.
But Trump was reportedly considering the possibility of continuing his work with the “Apprentice” franchise from the White House during the campaign.
In a report from last June, Vanity Fair detailed a conversation Trump had with NBCUniversal chief executive Steve Burke in which Trump wanted to “continue to star in ‘The Apprentice’ from within the White House.’”
In June 2015, NBC cut ties with Trump over his comments about Mexican immigrants in his speech announcing his candidacy for president.
Trump’s previous behavior on the show came under scrutiny during the campaign after a former contestant came forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior behind the scenes.
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