Donald Trump will never utter the words, "You're fired," again, at least not on "The Celebrity Apprentice." NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt made clear on Thursday that Trump will "absolutely not" return to the reality competition series and a search is on for a new host.
"We're obviously looking for a host of that show that will make noise and will be a big personality," Greenblatt told reporters at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. "There are a few people out there that fit that bill."
Trump's days on "Celebrity Apprentice" may be over, but Greenblatt insisted NBC has not "banned" him from ever appearing on the network again.
"I don't think somebody who is running for president and might possibly be the next leader of the free world should be banned from activity with NBC," Greenblatt said, but added, "At the moment, we're sort of separated."
NBC is also in the midst of severing its partnership with the Trump Organization for the Miss America/Miss Universe pageants. Greenblatt also commended Trump's professionalism while they worked together on "Apprentice."
The Republican presidential candidate also echoed those sentiments in a tweet on Thursday while clarifying that he made the choice to leave the show to run for president.
People don’t understand that I left The Apprentice to run for Pres—the Apprentice DID NOT leave me. Bob Greenblatt & folks @NBC were GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2015
As for the next season of "Celebrity Apprentice," Greenblatt said the show would not return until the 2016-2017 television season.
