Full Breakdown
Amazon Mulls “The Apprentice” Reboot with Donald Trump Jr. as Potential Host
5/2/2026, 9:15:26 AM
Core Development Update
Amazon Prime Video is reportedly weighing a revival of *The Apprentice*, the reality-competition series originally hosted by Donald Trump. Internal talks have considered Donald Trump Jr., 48, as a possible host, but the project is not in active development.
Background & Context
*The Apprentice* debuted on NBC in 2004, ran 15 seasons (14 with Trump) and peaked at roughly 20 million viewers. Amazon acquired MGM—and with it the franchise’s rights—in 2022, inheriting the property created by Mark Burnett.
Key Players
- Amazon Prime Video / Amazon MGM Studios – led by head of unscripted Jenn Levy and studio chief Mike Hopkins.
- Donald Trump Jr. – executive vice president of the Trump Organization and potential host.
- President Donald Trump – former host and executive producer of the original series.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger – former host and vocal critic of the show’s political ties.
Timeline of Recent Developments
- 2022 – Amazon completes MGM acquisition, gaining *The Apprentice* rights.
- Early 2025 – Mike Hopkins initiates internal discussions about a reboot.
- 30 May 2026 – *Wall Street Journal* reports Amazon is exploring a Donald Trump Jr. host.
- 31 May 2026 – President Trump comments on the rumors at an Oval Office event.
- 1 June 2026 – Amazon spokesperson reiterates that the series is not in active development.
Official Statements & Responses
Amazon’s spokesperson said the company has only held preliminary internal conversations and that any speculation about hosts is premature. President Trump described the idea as “interesting,” noting his son’s “charisma” and that they would “see what happens.” Jenn Levy confirmed the series is not currently in development, echoing the corporate statement.
Criticism & Opposition
Arnold Schwarzenegger warned that the show’s association with Trump “gives people a bad taste” and deters sponsors. Critics have also highlighted Amazon’s $75 million outlay on the Melania documentary as evidence of political courting, questioning whether a reboot would attract new Prime subscribers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The *Wall Street Journal* notes no outreach to the Trump family, yet Donald Trump Jr. learned of the possibility from the press, confirming a lack of direct contact. Amazon’s statements deny active development, while industry observers note the discussions are “early stage,” leaving the host decision and production timeline uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He’s got a little charisma going. You need a little charisma for that sucker.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States (source 13)
- “Since our acquisition of MGM, we have had preliminary internal discussions about what’s next for The Apprentice as a property. The show is not in active development, and any reporting on details of the show or names of potential hosts would be purely speculative.” — Amazon spokesperson (source 1)
- “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,” — Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California (source 5)
- “is not in active development” — Jenn Levy, Head of Unscripted and Documentary Television, Amazon Prime Video (source 1)
- “But he’s already making a good amount of money off reruns of The Apprentice without the hassle of creating new content, as The Hollywood Reporter discovered: According to a copy of Trump’s financial disclosures, which were viewed by THR, the show still generates six figures of annual income for him, with royalties of between $100,000 and $1,000,000 in 2024.” — The Hollywood Reporter (source 6)
Why It Matters
A reboot could reinforce Amazon’s strategy to court conservative viewers amid fierce streaming competition, while also reviving a franchise that still yields six-figure royalties for Trump. The move raises questions about corporate political alignment and the commercial viability of nostalgia-driven content.
What’s Next
Amazon has not set a production schedule or confirmed a host. If greenlit, the series would debut on Prime Video. Stakeholders await further internal deliberations, potential negotiations with the Trump family, and any regulatory or public-relations scrutiny.
