Trump Run Could Kill Apprentice

If Donald Trump decides to run for president, NBC plans to tell him he’s fired. The network hasn’t renewed The Apprentice yet, or done any serious planning about the next season, because it’s holding its breath to see if Trump will formally jump into the 2012 fray, the New York Times reports. If he does, the network will likely put off a new season of the show because it’s afraid other candidates could request equal airtime.

But speaking anonymously, two executives say they highly doubt Trump will actually run. “This is just Donald being Donald,” said one executive involved with the show, adding that “any decision is still weeks away.” But if Trump does run, the network has discussed several contingencies, like taping the season but holding off on airing it, or replacing Trump as the boss, either with his children, who already appear on the show, or with some new billionaire. (More Donald Trump stories.)