Gingrich: 'It's Weird' for Trump to Remain Executive Producer of 'Celebrity Apprentice'
Gingrich suggested that Trump pass the role to his children.
— -- Newt Gingrich is not a fan of President-elect Donald Trump's decision to stay on as executive producer of "Celebrity Apprentice" when he assumes office, suggesting a more relevant television show for Trump -- "Leading the World."
"I think it's weird. It's weird. I don't think it's relevant. First of all, they're not going to pay him enough money to matter if they pay him at all. He's doing it pro bono. He is going to be the executive producer of the American government and a huge TV show called 'Leading the World,'" Gingrich told Fox News this afternoon, suggesting Trump turn over his role on "Celebrity Apprentice" to his children.
"He ought to just relax, give the executive producer to Eric or Donald or Ivanka and keep moving forward. I think he is still going through some transition things here where it hasn't quite sunk in totally," Gingrich added.
It was announced on Thursday that Trump will remain executive producer of "Celebrity Apprentice," coming at a time when the president-elect is facing questions about what business ties, if any, he will keep as he assumes the presidency, as well as criticism that he could face conflicts of interest.
Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway defended the decision, saying presidents have the right to do things in their "spare time."
“Were we so concerned about the hours and hours and hours spent on the golf course by the current president? I mean, presidents have a right to do things in their spare time or their leisure time. I mean nobody objects to that," she said on CNN.
When asked about the "Celebrity Apprentice" role, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said: "Mr. Trump has a big stake in the show and conceived of it with Mark Burnett."
"Additional details regarding his business interests will be shared December 15th," she added.