Arnold Schwarzenegger replaces Trump as new host of 'Celebrity Apprentice'
Maria Puente, USA TODAY 1:55 p.m. EDT September 14, 2015

Movie star-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger will replace mogul-turned-would-be politician Donald Trump on The Celebrity Apprentice, NBC announced Monday.

The former California governor, although he's not a billionaire like Trump, is a good fit for the show, which will return for the 2016-17 season, the network said.

As governor for two terms, Schwarzenegger managed "more than 300,000 state employees and a state budget in the hundreds of billions," the press release said. "He has successfully invested in both real estate and sports franchises, and is known to millions globally for his starring role in the Terminator film franchise. His films, over a six-decade career, have grossed billions of dollars in worldwide box office."

The news generated tweets spoofing the show's signature line: "You're fired!" Others pointed out that Trump, who has railed against immigrants from Mexico, is being replaced on the show by an immigrant from Austria.

As host for seven seasons of The Celebrity Apprentice, Trump helped raise more than $15 million for charity, NBC said.

“We are thrilled to be opening a powerful new chapter in the story of the Apprentice franchise,” said Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment. “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of a global brand in entertainment and business, and his accomplishments in the political arena speak for themselves. It was Arnold’s personal passion for the format that Mark Burnett and Donald Trump built over the last decade, as well as his fresh take on how to take it to new heights for today’s audiences, that made him the man to hire. The Celebrity Apprentice…will be back!”

Schwarzenegger issued a statement and also tweeted his delight.

"I have always been a huge fan of The Celebrity Apprentice and the way it showcases the challenges and triumphs of business and teamwork," he said in the statement. "I am thrilled to bring my experience to the boardroom and to continue to raise millions for charity. Let's get started!"

Schwarzenegger, 68, who left office in 2011, has recently revived his movie career, including starring in another Terminator movie, Terminator Genisys.

cast:

Laila Ali — the retired four-time boxing world champion and two-time hall of famer, TV host, author, health and wellness expert and daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali

Brooke Burke-Charvet — actress, host, entrepreneur, fitness expert and CEO of ModernMom.com

Eric Dickerson — Pro Football Hall of Fame running back who played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders and Atlanta Falcons

Boy George — Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, lead vocalist for the pop band Culture Club, international DJ and a coach on the U.K. version of “The Voice,” as well as a top fashion designer and photographer

Matt Iseman — “American Ninja Warrior” host, comedian, actor and licensed physician

Carrie Keagan — Actress, producer, writer, entrepreneur and the former host of VH1’s Emmy Award-winning live morning talk show “Big Morning Buzz Live with Carrie Keagan”

Carson Kressley — Emmy Award-winning television star, celebrity stylist, author and fashion designer, as well as a successful horse show exhibitor who owns saddlebred horses

Lisa Leslie — Naismith Hall of Famer, four-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion who earned an MBA

Jon Lovitz — comedian, film and television star and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member

Vince Neil — lead vocalist for the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe as well as eclectic businessman with interests in liquor, bars, restaurants, tattoo parlors along with clothing and retail

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi — Reality television star and New York Times bestselling author

Kyle Richards — actress and star of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is a philanthropist who owns an innovative boutique concept in Beverly Hills

Chael Sonnen — former UFC standout and mixed martial artist

Porsha Williams — model, singer and star of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”

Ricky Williams — Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Texas, 2015 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and ESPN sports analyst who was a running back for the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens

Carnie Wilson — singer, television host and member of the pop music group Wilson Phillips.

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