New York City—

“The Apprentice” met “The Candidate” today when Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich met with Donald Trump in New York City. Trump said he would endorse a candidate for president sometime after he moderates the Dec. 27 debate hosted by Newsmax. When asked about a Trump endorsement, Gingrich replied to reporters, “Of course I want his endorsement.”

Trump said he would not run for president unless “the wrong person gets in,” but Trump said he does not expect the wrong person will be chosen. Trump criticized candidate Ron Paul for not participating in his debate. Candidate Jon Huntsman also turned down the invitation.

“With all due respect, this is from me, not him,” Trump said, gesturing toward Gingrich. “Ron Paul has zero chance of getting the nomination,” Trump said.

Gingrich cut in to defend his decision to participate in the debate.

“When I was asked would I like to be in that type of debate, I automatically said yes,” Gingrich said. “I think it’s great of him to do it, I think it’s great Newsmax is helping launch it, it’s part of the process by which America governs itself.”

Amid the marble and gold of Trump Tower, Gingrich and Trump said today they want to help poor students in New York City.

“Many of you know I’ve been making the case that we need to work very hard to help poor children in poor neighborhoods acquire opportunities for work,” Gingrich said. “I’ve asked him [Trump] to take one of the poorest schools in New York and basically offer at least 10 apprenticeships to kids from that school to get them into the world of work.”

Gingrich came under fire last month for comments he made to a crowd at Harvard University, calling child labor laws “stupid” and calling on students to do janitorial work at their schools. Gingrich tried to clarify his comments last week in Des Moines, Iowa, saying students need to start work early to learn about investing in their community and making money.

“They have no habit of showing up on Monday and staying all day, or the concept of ‘I do this and you give me cash,’ unless it’s illegal,” Gingrich said last Thursday.

After remarking how well Gingrich is doing in the race, Trump said the program he will implement in New York City was Gingrich’s idea.

“He did mention if I could do something for some of the kids in very, very poor schools throughout the city. I thought it was a great idea. We call it an apprenticeship and we all know about ‘The Apprentice’ and we’re going to be picking 10 young wonderful children and we’re going to make them aprenti,” Trump said.

Gingrich held a fundraiser today at the prestigious Union League Club in New York City as a group of Occupy Wall Street protestors stood outside holding signs that said, “Newt Your Money Smells” and “Newt Needs A Bath: He’s Rolling in Dirty Money.”

Gingrich scheduled a press conference afterward to present his plan to compete in all 50 states if he becomes the nominee.