Donald Trump on The Apprentice Season 10: "If I Were on the Apprentice, I Probably Would Be the First One Fired"

Prior to the Season 10 finale of NBC's The Apprentice — themed "Putting America Back to Work" — Premier Guide Miami caught up with Donald Trump to discuss the show's origins as an educational series, the impact of the recession on the season's contestants, the surprise of Liza Minnelli's athleticism, and his candid admission that he himself would likely be the first fired. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

Donald Trump is the ultimate entrepreneur. The Apprentice franchise has become the most powerful franchise in reality television, and Season 10 — themed "Putting America Back to Work" — featured some of the smartest contestants to date. More than half of the 16 contestants were working or offered job opportunities by the time the season concluded. The Season 10 finale aired Thursday, December 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with finalists Brandy and Clint competing in a VIP golf tournament and Liza Minnelli concert.

On the original idea behind The Apprentice: "I think it really started as an educational show and maybe a business show simultaneously. It was about how to get ahead, how to do well in business, how to do well in the world. It started as that and really continues as that and it's one of the things that inspired me to do it in the first place. It's been amazing to me that it's done so well for so long. We do love regular Apprentice but the celebrity version has really brought it to a new level."

On the season's recession theme: "I think this season was a little bit sad to be honest with you. It wasn't like the original Apprentice when everyone was up. This was a little sad because everyone was sort of not doing so well and that's why they were on the show — they were representative of what was going on. In one way it was a little bit of a downer and in another way I think it's very inspirational, and I think people learned a lot."

On the contestant who surprised him most: "I think Liza was a bit of a surprise! She turned out being better than many people thought she would be. She's also a great golfer — a professional, collegiate golfer and was very impressive with her athleticism. I think that Clint was a bit of a surprise, to be honest. He was someone that was underestimated in the beginning and turned out to be a star. Brandy looked good from the beginning — she was tough and smart, she fought back when she needed to and didn't waste energy."

On whether he could survive as a contestant: "If I were on the Apprentice, I probably would be the first one fired! I'm amazed at these people, I really am. I'm amazed at Clint and Brandy — it never ceases to amaze me how hard-working, sharp, smart and cunning they are. They have so many qualities and they also have patience. I'm not sure I would — I think I would be lacking. Patience is something you would really need because it's a gruelling process. I don't know that I'd do well at all!"

On Celebrity Apprentice Season 11: "We've got some amazing people and that will come on March 6."

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