Harper West
At the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast, former US President Donald Trump made comments about the show 'The Apprentice', which he previously hosted. Introduced by the show's creator, Mark Burnett, Trump boasted about the show's success during his time as host, and took a dig at his replacement, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the subsequent dip in ratings. Trump's comments were criticised by some as being inappropriate for the occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd February 2017 |
| Event | National Prayer Breakfast |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Attendees | Religious leaders, lawmakers, foreign dignitaries, politicians of both parties |
| Speakers | Chaplain Barry Black, President Donald Trump, Mark Burnett |
| Topics Discussed | Religious freedom, Trump's phone calls with foreign leaders, immigration policy, travel ban, Johnson Amendment, "The Apprentice" ratings |
| Comments by Trump | "I want to just pray for Arnold Schwarzenegger, if we can, for those ratings, OK?" |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's comments about 'The Apprentice'
At the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast, Donald Trump made comments about his time on The Apprentice, the reality TV show he formerly hosted. Introduced by the show's creator, Mark Burnett, Trump boasted about the show's success during his time as host, and how it had declined since his departure, saying:
> "We had tremendous success on 'The Apprentice.' And when I ran for president, I had to leave the show. That's when I knew for sure I was doing it. And they hired a big, big movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to take my place. And we know how that turned out. The ratings went right down the tubes. It's been a total disaster. And Mark will never, ever bet against Trump again. And I want to just pray for Arnold, if we can, for those ratings, OK?"
Trump's comments were in reference to Schwarzenegger, who replaced him as host of The Apprentice when he ran for president in 2015. Trump's remarks drew laughs from the audience, and he was criticised by Schwarzenegger on Twitter, who said: "Why don't we switch jobs?" Trump's comments about The Apprentice were followed by a speech in which he touched on various topics, including his travel ban and his pledge to repeal the Johnson Amendment, a law that bars tax-exempt institutions like churches from participating in political campaigns.
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Trump's immigration policy
At the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast, Donald Trump made some off-script comments about his time on *The Apprentice*. Trump boasted about the show's success during his time as host and criticised his replacement, Arnold Schwarzenegger, for poor ratings.
Now, onto Trump's immigration policy.
The Trump administration has been characterised by its hardline stance on immigration. In his second term, Trump has encouraged immigrants to "self-deport", using harsh policies and financial incentives to push them to leave the US. This has caused immigrants of all legal statuses to worry about their future safety in the country.
Trump's immigration policies have been described as an attack on immigrants, democracy, and America. They have been criticised for running roughshod over rights that most Americans understand to be universal. For example, the Trump administration revoked Rümeysa Öztürk's student visa for writing an op-ed in her student paper, criticising her university's policy.
The administration has also taken steps to reshape immigration policy and practice, testing the limits of executive power. This includes issuing a series of executive orders, policy memoranda, and other actions.
Trump has also prioritised the removal of noncitizens, pressured states and localities to cooperate in immigration enforcement, and limited access to humanitarian protections. He has increased the number of immigration officers and taken steps to detain and deport "removable aliens".
The administration has also revoked policies from the previous administration that led to the increased presence of illegal aliens in the US and defended its controversial travel ban.
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Trump's travel ban
On 2 February 2017, at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, then-President Donald Trump made comments about the ratings of the TV show "The Apprentice", which he used to host. Trump boasted about the show's success during his time as host and criticised his successor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, for poor ratings.
On 4 June 2025, President Trump announced a new travel ban, restricting the entry of foreign nationals from 19 countries into the United States. The ban, which went into effect on 9 June, blocked individuals from twelve countries from entering the US, with nationals from seven other countries facing significant entry restrictions. The ban provides specific exceptions for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders and certain persecuted minorities from Iran. However, it will exclude most refugees, asylees, and family members of refugees from the impacted countries.
The Trump administration justified the ban as a necessary measure to protect US citizens from foreign terrorists and other national security threats. They cited the success of the first travel ban, enacted in 2017, which they claimed prevented national security threats and was upheld by the Supreme Court.
However, critics argue that the ban is discriminatory and harmful, separating families and blocking international talent. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned of the ban's negative humanitarian consequences and its impact on refugees, who actively contribute to the US economy. The American Immigration Council also highlighted the economic and humanitarian toll of the ban, noting that those affected include students, workers, and family members who support local economies and fill critical jobs.
The 2025 travel ban has seen a more muted reaction compared to the 2017 ban, due to its gradual rollout and expanded exemptions. However, critics argue that the quieter implementation does not diminish the severity of its impact. Additionally, there are concerns that the administration is considering adding 36 more countries to the ban, which could bar tens of thousands more people from entering the US.
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Trump's commitment to religious freedom
At the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump made comments about his commitment to religious freedom. However, he began his speech by discussing his time on ""The Apprentice"" and the subsequent ratings decline after he left the show to run for president. Trump also criticised former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who replaced him as host.
The Trump Administration has also demonstrated its support for religious freedom through various initiatives. They have hosted the Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom event, urging international cooperation to end religious persecution. The State Department has held Religious Freedom Ministerials, with over 100 governments and religious leaders pledging to fight religious persecution. Additionally, the Administration has issued guidance protecting religious expression in the workplace, including the right to recruit colleagues to one's religion and display religious symbols.
Trump's attendance at the National Prayer Breakfast and his expressed commitment to religious freedom demonstrate his recognition of the importance of faith in America. While his comments at the event may have veered off-script, they highlight his willingness to engage with religious leaders and address emerging threats to religious liberty.
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Trump's phone calls with foreign leaders
At the National Prayer Breakfast in 2017, Donald Trump made comments about the show *The Apprentice*. Introduced by the show's creator, Mark Burnett, Trump boasted about the show's success during his time as host and criticised his replacement, Arnold Schwarzenegger, for poor ratings. Trump asked attendees to "pray" for Schwarzenegger and the show, stating: "I want to just pray for Arnold, if we can, for those ratings, OK?".
During his presidency, Donald Trump has had several phone conversations with foreign leaders, which have raised concerns among former diplomats and foreign policy analysts. Trump has expressed suspicion and resentment towards the State Department, derisively referring to it as "the Deep State". As a result, his phone calls with foreign leaders have often been conducted without the involvement of the State Department, raising concerns about the security of the phone lines, the absence of official interpreters, and the potential for confusion or misunderstandings. Trump has shared his personal cell phone number with world leaders, encouraging them to bypass diplomatic protocols and contact him directly.
Trump's affinity for frequent and informal conversations with foreign leaders is well-known. He has had phone and text conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These conversations have covered a range of topics, from informal personal talk to matters of global importance.
Trump's direct communication with foreign leaders has allowed him to build personal relationships and chemistry with them. For example, Starmer used WhatsApp to message Trump to repair the relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy. Trump's willingness to engage in direct communication has resulted in 23 bilateral meetings in just six months, according to White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly.
However, the private nature of these conversations has raised concerns about the potential for miscommunication and conflicting interpretations. Former diplomat Brett Bruen warned about the "dangerous territory of telephone games," where Trump and foreign leaders might tell their respective teams different things. Additionally, the absence of the State Department from these calls has made it challenging to ensure that the United States speaks with one voice on matters of national security and foreign policy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Trump mentioned the show Apprentice at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2017.
Trump boasted about the show's success during his time as host and took a dig at his replacement, Arnold Schwarzenegger, claiming that the show's ratings had declined since. He also took a dig at the show's creator, Mark Burnett, who introduced Trump at the event.
The National Prayer Breakfast is typically a non-partisan event meant to bring together bipartisan political leaders and religious leaders. Trump's comments about the Apprentice were seen as a digression from the event's usual tone and focus.
Some attendees of the breakfast demurred when asked about Trump's remarks. Others, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, criticised Trump's comments as inappropriate for the event, especially given his focus on ratings and television success rather than faith and prayer.
