President-elect Donald Trump will remain an executive producer on the reality television show "The Apprentice" even after takes office next month, and could continue earning a profit from the show, it was revealed on Thursday.
His involvement was confirmed by a representative for MGM, the company that owns the show — which is broadcast on NBC — and Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in an email that “Mr. Trump has a big stake in the show and conceived of it with Mark Burnett."
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An MGM representative said, however, that Trump’s not expected to be involved in the show.
Trump launched “The Apprentice" with Burnett in 2004, and for years remained its figurehead and host in a position that catapulted him to iconic status as a billionaire mogul and cemented his association in many Americans’ minds with wealth and business acumen.
NBC severed business ties with Trump in June of 2015, citing Trump’s “derogatory statements” about immigrants, after he launched his campaign calling some Mexican immigrants “rapists” and “murderers.”
The show returns after a two-year hiatus on January 2, when Arnold Schwarzenegger will host.
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Trump claimed in personal financial disclosure forms he released during the campaign that he was paid more than $213.6 million during the 14 seasons of “The Apprentice,” a claim that couldn’t be independently verified.
Variety, which first reported news of Trump’s continued participation with the show, stated the president-elect would likely continue to receive a “per-episode fee ... in the low five-figures, at a minimum."
Asked whether Trump would continue receiving royalties from the show, Hicks declined to comment.
"Additional details regarding his business interests will be shared December 15th,” she said, when Trump is slated to hold a press conference outlining what he plans to do with his financial interests when he takes office.