We may finally have reached Peak Donald Trump.
No, the President-Elect did not re-Tweet any toddlers last night.
Nor did he get caught on tape talking about how he can’t wait to grab the private parts of women across America.
But news did break that Trump will continues to serve as an executive producer on Celebrity Apprentice while he’s also serving as President of the United States.
The popular reality show returns on January 2 with new episodes.
It will be hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Trump’s name will air after that of Apprentice creator Mark Burnett and before Schwarzenegger in the credits.
In confirming the news, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks made it sound like no big deal, like business as usual, noting that the President-Elect has a “big stake” in the program, which has licensed several international editions.
“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,” Hicks said.
But why is this so NOT business like usual for the Time Person of the Year?
It’s not just the optics. It’s not just the hilarious/depressing nature of our President also being prominent involved in reality television while in office.
It’s the massive conflict of interest this could create.
Trump will be paid (by MGM, not NBC) in the low five-figures, according to those associated with the show.
Celebrity Apprentice, of course, airs on NBC… which is a major broadcast network with an influential news division.
Will they talk about Trump’s affiliation with Celebrity Apprentice? If so, isn’t that a form of publicity for the program?
And wouldn’t this therefore mean that a network is actually helping put money in the pocket of a sitting President? It’s ridiculous, unprecedented, dangerous and ridiculous (again) to think about.
NBC also airs Saturday Night Live, a sketch comedy show Trump has criticized over and over again for its unflattering depiction of him.
Moreover, NBC is owned by Comcast, a corporation that was recently slapped with a major fine by the Federal Communications Commission… an entity that will soon be under Trump’s control.
Even prior to this mind-boggling news, Trump’s role on Celebrity Apprentice came under scrutiny.
It was largely believed that NBC was in possession of tapes of Trump from his role as host on that show which featured him making crude or racist remarks.
But they never surfaced.
Creator Mark Burnett was even forced to come out and issue a statement about the legality of releasing these alleged tapes and that he was not the one blocking said release.
According to The New York Times, Burnett recently met with the his co-worker (yes, we can still call them co-workers) at Trump Tower to discuss potential inauguration celebrations, including a parade up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.
To be clear, sitting Presidents have written books while in office in the past, earning royalites from their sales.
In the case of President Obama’s 2010 book “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters,” for example, his profits from the publication were donated to a charity that aids the children of disabled veterans.
Will Trump donate his Celebrity Apprentice paycheck to a charity?
Sure. Maybe.
About the same time he hires Rosie O’Donnell for a cabinet position.