‘He bombed’: Trump takes fresh swipe at Arnold Schwarzenegger over 'The Apprentice'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, September 11, took a sharp swipe at Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying that the actor and former governor of California “bombed” after taking over as host of 'The Apprentice'.

Trump made the remark while reflecting on his career in business and television during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas. He also claimed NBC wanted him to continue hosting the program and would have paid him “anything” to extend his contract. 

Trump revisits Arnold Schwarzenegger’s time on 'The Apprentice'

Trump hosted 'The Apprentice' when it premiered on NBC in January 2004 and remained involved with the program for its first 14 seasons. After that, Schwarzenegger took over as host in 2017. Reflecting on his time on the show, Trump described the program as a major success and said he initially viewed television as a side project alongside his business career.

“I do a show, it becomes the number one show, 'The Apprentice', it was an NBC, you know, I thought NBC would be great to me. It was just the opposite. They were so angry at me for leaving. They wanted to give me a five-year extension. They would have paid me anything. They gave the role to Arnold Schwarzenegger, and he bombed," the 80-year-old said

Trump has previously criticized the show’s performance after Schwarzenegger became host. During the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast, Trump asked attendees to “pray for Arnold... for those ratings.” The president also wrote at the time that Schwarzenegger had done a “really bad job” as governor of California and was “even worse” on 'The Apprentice'.

Schwarzenegger responded with a video, suggesting that the two should switch positions. “I have a great idea, why don't we switch jobs? you take over TV, because you're such an expert in ratings, and I take over your job, and then people can finally sleep comfortably again,” Schwarzenegger said in 2017.

The two have continued to criticize each other publicly over the years. Schwarzenegger served as California governor from 2003 to 2011, while Trump has continued his political career and returned to the presidency.

Trump reflects on career and how he will be remembered

Trump made the comments about Schwarzenegger as Ingraham asked him to reflect on what he had enjoyed most during his life and his career beyond politics. The Republican leader said he had enjoyed his career as a whole and rejected the idea that his move into politics was simply for entertainment.

“I look, I enjoyed it all. I've had a great, crazy life,” Trump said. “You know, I ran for politics, and everyone thought I was just doing it for fun, and I wasn't doing it for fun, I had a great business.”

He also shared that he believes history would remember him as someone who prevented further decline in the country. “I think they're going to say I saved the country. I really believe it. I saved this country. This country was going down,” Trump said.