Arnold Schwarzenegger Announces He’s Leaving The Apprentice

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who previously served as the Governor of California, took over for President Donald J. Trump as the host of the hit NBC reality TV show “The Apprentice” earlier this year.

Since taking over for the president, Schwarzenegger has had it rough as the show’s host, experiencing a sharp decline in ratings. The show was such a failure that President Trump used the annual National Prayer Breakfast as an opportunity to ask attendees to pray that “The Apprentice” gets better ratings.

Well, unfortunately for Schwarzenegger, his tenure at NBC will come to an abrupt ending, as the host just announced he will be leaving the show. Schwarzenegger cited the president’s alleged polarizing persona as the primary reason he decided to depart the show.

John Koblin of The New York Times obtained this statement from Schwarzenegger, explaining his decision:

Speaking to Empire, Schwarzenegger blamed President Trump for his decision to leave, taking no responsibility for the show’s terrible ratings:

Even if asked [to do it again] I would decline. With Trump being involved in the show people have a bad taste and don’t want to participate as a spectator or as a sponsor or in any other way support the show. It’s a very divisive period now and I think this show got caught up in all that division.

Schwarzenegger doesn’t have the television appeal that President Trump has, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that ratings for “The Apprentice” tanked under the new host. It’s an easy excuse for the former California governor to blame the president for his failings as a television host, rather than admit that his lack of charisma and broad appeal likely hurt the show.

What are your thoughts on Schwarzenegger bailing on his hosting duties at “The Apprentice”? Are you surprised he left? Share your thoughts below!