White House press secretary Sean Spicer downplayed President Trump’s dig about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s low “Apprentice” television ratings during the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday as a “lighthearted moment.”
White House press secretary Sean Spicer calls Trump's Arnold Schwarzenegger ratings taunt a "lighthearted moment" https://t.co/rn49GlbTRV pic.twitter.com/TSupuypBzx— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 2, 2017
“If you look at the totality of his remarks, and they were absolutely beautiful, and I think to hone in on that — it was a lighthearted moment he was trying to have with a big supporter of the National Prayer Breakfast and a personal friend,” Spicer told reporters.
Spicer was referring to Mark Burnett, the reality TV mogul and “Apprentice” creator who introduced Trump at the morning event. After Trump took the stage, he ribbed Burnett about the slide the reality show has seen since Trump left to pursue the presidency.
“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,” Trump said. “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?”
Schwarzenegger responded soon after in a video posted on Twitter: “Hey Donald, I have a great idea. Why don’t we switch jobs? You take over TV, because you’re such an expert in ratings, and I take over your job. And people can finally sleep comfortably again.”
