News

Arnold Schwarzenegger Leaves ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’ Blames Trump For Ratings Decline

Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he will be not be returning to Celebrity Apprentice next season, and blamed Donald Trump for the show’s decline in ratings.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER LEAVES CELEBRITY APPRENTICE,

Schwarzenegger told NBC of his decision on Friday and sent a statement to the Washington Post. “I loved every second of working with NBC and [creator] Mark Burnett,” he said. “Everyone — from the celebrities to the crew to the marketing department — was a straight 10, and I would absolutely work with all of them again on a show that doesn’t have this baggage.”

The actor and former governor clarified what he meant by “baggage” with Empire magazine. “With Trump being involved in the show, people have a bad taste and don’t want to participate as a spectator or as a sponsor or in any other way support the show,” he explained. “It’s a very divisive period now, and I think this show got caught up in all that division.”

Apparently viewers boycotted the show when they realized that Trump was still on as an executive producer, despite NBC’s best efforts to promote the show. Schwarzenegger has been involved in a feud with the president since January, when Trump took to Twitter to blame the new host for the show’s decline, and also mocked him for voting against him in the campaign.

Schwarzenegger struck right back.

Then at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump took the time to ask attendees to “pray for Arnold, if we can, for those ratings.” The Feb. 13 finale attracted just 3.45 million viewers, compared to the 6.1 million who watched Trump’s last season finale in 2015. It’s clear, though, that the ratings were already declining with Trump still in the pilot’s seat, down from 21 million viewers during the first season in 2004.

Hillary Luehring-Jones

Recent Posts

Scout Willis Announces She’s Now ‘An Actor’ In Post With Dad Bruce Willis Amid His Dementia Battle

Scout and Tallulah posted another rare glimpse of Willis last month in a joint Instagram…

11 hours ago

Meghan Markle’s Cooking Show Will Likely Be Scrapped Because Of Poor Performance Of New Series With Prince Harry, ‘Polo’

They emphasized, “There won’t be another deal. There may be one-offs, but that’s it.”

12 hours ago

Two New Alvin Ailey Productions Debut At City Center

Seibert speculated, “If struggle without context is baffling, heaven without struggle isn’t very interesting.”

1 day ago

Right-Wing Activist Nick Fuentes Claims Armed Man Tried To Kill Him In His Home After His Address Was Leaked Online

The shooter was identified to be John R. Lyons, 24, of Westchester, Illinois.

1 day ago

Putin Challenges The U.S. To A Missile ‘Duel,’ Zelenskyy Responds By Calling Him ‘A Dumb—‘

Asked by moderators at the event how Russia perseveres “when the world is going crazy,”…

1 day ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: ‘Virgin River’ Star Alexandra Breckenridge On Her Chemistry With Costar Martin Henderson

Virgin River’s first episode aired on December 6, 2019, and the show can be watched…

1 day ago