5 Potential Landing Spots for Donald Trump If America Fires Him From White House Bid
Love him or hate him, the former Apprentice host has star power; here’s the media outlets most likely to hire the Donald
Jordan Chariton | June 30, 2015 @ 12:37 PM
Last Updated: June 30, 2015 @ 5:45 PM
John Moore/Getty Images
“I’d be the greatest jobs president God ever created,” Donald Trump boasted during his presidential announcement speech.
Most political pundits think he’ll never get the chance: kind of hard to win the presidency if you’ve alienated the fastest rising demographic in the country–Latinos.
But now that NBC has fired The Donald–or he fired them, according to Trump–the former “Celebrity Apprentice” star will be on the market if and when his presidential run flames out. And there will be suitors.
1. Fox News With Mike Huckabee leaving the network for his own presidential bid, Fox could be looking to fill the vacuum of political-media hybrid. Most media experts would suggest Trump wouldn’t connect with FNC’s heavily midwest and southern viewer, but his presidential run might change that as he evokes positions friendly to those two regions.
Most importantly, love him or hate him, Trump is must-see TV. He’s got the bravado cable news viewers tend to gravitate too, and Trump gives Fox a voice prone to going up against both parties, potentially setting up a ratings rocket to go after potential presidents Hillary Clinton or Jeb Bush.
Another advantage for Fox in tabbing Trump would be his ability to contribute cross-network: Trump could certainly have a show on both Fox News as well as contribute specials for Fox Business, which has tried to bring in bigger names over the years like Maria Bartiromo.
2. CNN This scenario would hinge on Trump softening his stance on Mexico, to avoid alienating a large swath of viewers domestically and internationally. With that assumption, Trump fits on CNN in a number of scenarios.
Trump could make an Apprentice-style reality show for the network, fitting into its original series strategy that’s been a success over two years. From real estate to entrepreneurship, Trump provides a variety of possibilities for show formats and topics.
He also could boost other shows, appearing as a guest across primetime and host specials.
3. Fox Fox broadcasting is a possibility, owned by Rupert Murdoch and eager to find a signature reality show to compete with ABC, NBC and CBS.
With hit show Empire boosting the network this past season, an Apprentice-like program with Trump could add another signature program to the lineup. Under the 21st Century Fox portfolio, Trump could also cross over to do specials for Fox/Fox Business.
4. Yahoo The search-engine giant continues its quest to become a digital news and entertainment player. With Katie Couric as its biggest name to date, Trump would instantly become the face of Yahoo, giving it versatility to offer reality series in addition to its news programs and specials.
Like with CNN, Trump would have to backtrack on his controversial statements about Mexico to even get a sniff of Marissa Mayer’s office, but the Donald knows what to say when he has to.
Yahoo could also offer one of the bigger paydays to the billionaire real estate mogul; Couric just re-signed for a cool $10 million annually, a number Trump wouldn’t likely land in a cable news role.
5. HBO/Showtime If Trump wants to say whatever he damn well pleases, premium TV might be the place to be.
HBO’s never been one to shy away from polarizing loudmouths, i.e. Bill Maher, and could position Trump as a weekly variety show host or do a more gritty version of “The Apprentice.” Ditto for Showtime.
15 Business Reality Stars Who Are Rolling in Dough (Photos)
Trump's flamboyant lifestyle, outspoken personality and hit NBC reality show "The Apprentice" have made him a household name. His net worth is estimated at $4-dollars and in 2011 he was No. 17 on the 2011 Forbes Celebrity 100 list.
NBC
Lebanese-born American businessman Marcus Leminos is the chairman and CEO of Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises and the star of CNBC's "The Profit." Worth about $150 million, Lemonis has already doled out $23 million of his own money on his show thus far.
CNBC
British celebrity chef Robert Irvine has appeared on a variety of Food Network programs including "Dinner: Impossible," "Worst Cooks in America," "Restaurant: Impossible" and "Restaurant Express." He's also served aboard Her Majesty's Royal Yacht Britannia and even whipped up some of his creations in the West Wing of the White House. His stints on camera and off have earned him a cool $15 million.
The Food Network
Known for orchestrating the $10,000 martini, Anthony Melchiorri's has been described by the New York Times as a "capeless crusader." The star of Travel Channel's "Hotel: Impossible" leads a team of problem solvers to save flailing businesses. His net worth is estimated at $2 million.
Travel Channel
Mark Cuban made his fortune selling video portal Broadcast.com to Yahoo for $5.7 billion in 1999. Now the star of "Shark Tank's" is worth $3 billion and is the celebrated owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
ABC
Canadian entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary's The Learning Company was acquired by Mattel in 1999 in a $3.8 billion stock swap. Sales and earnings for Mattel soon plummeted. But the "Shark Tank" star is laughing his way to the bank, where his account boasts a whopping $400 million.
ABC
Croatian-born businessman Robert Herjavec sold his tech company, BRAK systems, to AT&T in 2000 for $30.2 million. These days the "Shark Tank" star is reportedly worth $200 million.
ABC
In 2001, Barbara Corcoran sold her real-estate company for $66 million. The "Shark Tank" star's net worth is estimated at $80 today.
ABC
Daymond John, the founder and CEO of clothing company FUBU is worth $250 million. John started his business selling homemade hats for $10. Since then, FUBU has amassed over six billion dollars in global revenue.
ABC
Known as "The Queen of QVC," "Shark Tank's" Lori Grenier holds 120 patents, including a box for earrings that she created. Her net worth is estimated at $50 million.
ABC
"Million Dollar Listing's" Fredrik Eklund amassed an estimated $30 million thanks to his real-estate dealings. Prior to his Bravo stint, Eklund had a rising career as an adult film star.
Bravo
After being booted off Bravo's hairstyling reality competition, "Shear Genius," Tabatha Coffey hit it big with "Tabatha's Salon Takeover," which ran on the network for five seasons. As of now, the Bravo has not renewed the show for a sixth season. But no worries, Coffey's fortune is estimated at $6 million.
Bravo
Former hedge fund manager and best-selling author Jim Cramer has been the go-to financial guru since he landed his own show, "Mad Money," on CNBC in 2005. The co-founder of TheStreet.com is worth an estimated $100 million.
CNBC
Following her release from prison in March 2005, Martha Stewart returned to daytime television with “The Martha Stewart Show” and “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.” The latter received poor ratings and was pulled off the air after one season. Today Stewart's fortune is estimated at $300 million.
NBC
Chef Gordon Ramsay, whose restaurants have been awarded 15 Michelin stars, broke into reality TV with his fix-a-restaurant show "Kitchen Nightmares." In 2005, he started stirring up drama and controversy in Fox's hit show "Hell's Kitchen," now in its 14th season. His net worth is estimated at $120 million.
Fox
1 of 15
From Donald Trump’s $4 billion empire to Mark Cuban’s NBA franchise, TheWrap takes a look at some of TV’s richest entrepreneurs
Trump's flamboyant lifestyle, outspoken personality and hit NBC reality show "The Apprentice" have made him a household name. His net worth is estimated at $4-dollars and in 2011 he was No. 17 on the 2011 Forbes Celebrity 100 list.