Donald Trump on Celebrity Apprentice Season 12: Doral, the Trump Dynasty, and Why He Doesn't Mix Politics with the Show

On February 29, 2012, NBC held a press conference call for Celebrity Apprentice Season 12 with host and executive producer Donald Trump alongside contestants Tia Carrere and George Takei. Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton was on the call. This piece focuses on Trump's exchanges — on his family, his newest real estate acquisition, and the line he draws between his political life and his television show.

We just bought Doral Country Club in Miami, which is a phenomenal piece of land, hundreds of acres. They work on television but they have to go into the real world also — which for us is real estate.

On his children and the show's family dynamic

When asked whether having Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric Trump all working on the show was part of why it resonated with audiences, Trump was characteristically direct: "I think it helps. I mean, I have two and actually Eric now is joining the cast and they were all great students and they're good kids and they're smart. And I think it's been nice. Having a family dynamic is nice." He added that he thought all three had done a good job — and that the show was only part of their workload. "We just bought Doral Country Club in Miami, which is a phenomenal piece of land, hundreds of acres. And I have them right now working on that so they work on television but they have to go into the real world also which is for us real estate." He also mentioned a Trump hotel in Waikiki that was getting great reviews.

On Victoria Gotti's elimination

Asked how hard it was to fire Victoria Gotti knowing what she was capable of, Trump was measured: "Victoria is very capable. I've known Victoria for a long time. And she's a very capable person. She made a mistake. But the mistake was — it could have gone either way, frankly, between Lisa or Victoria. But Victoria understands that. I've known Victoria. She's very, very smart. And I really like her; I think she's a great person."

On keeping politics off the show

With Trump deeply involved in the 2012 Republican primary cycle — he had recently been publicly thanked by Mitt Romney and Ann Romney for his support — a reporter asked whether NBC prevented him from discussing his political views on the show. His answer was unambiguous: "They don't prevent me from doing it; they haven't said anything per se but I don't do it because I think it would be probably inappropriate so I don't do it." He noted that Romney and his wife had thanked him the night before, but said he kept that world separate from Celebrity Apprentice: "I don't think it would be the right thing to do."

On Tia Carrere and George Takei as contestants

After George Takei described the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II — the founding story behind his charity, the Japanese American National Museum — Trump's response was unscripted and genuine: "George, it is hard to believe. I have to — just sitting here listening to you tell that story it is so hard to believe that that could have happened." He then praised both contestants directly: "I want to tell you George and Tia have been absolutely great contestants. They have been amazing. They're smart and they're sharp and they're tough. People don't realize how tough you are, George." He closed: "That was an amazing story, George, I didn't realize that."

On George Takei's invitation — and a deal

The call's most memorable moment came at the end, after Trump said he kept his political opinions off the show. Takei seized the opening: "Now that the show is almost over, next time I'm in New York, Mr. Trump, I'd like to take you to Jean-Georges for lunch and maybe we can discuss marriage equality. I'd like to think that you'd be supportive." Trump's response: "Okay. That's a good idea, George. You would be the first guy to take me." Takei confirmed the invitation. Trump accepted: "Okay, you have a deal." Celebrity Apprentice airs Sundays at 9 p.m. Eastern on NBC.