It could be argued that The Apprentice brought Donald Trump back to relevancy. The reality show was a hit back in its day, and that was especially true for The Celebrity Apprentice. However, Trump made quite the statement suggesting that the show struggled once he left and Arnold Schwarzenegger took over.
The Celebrity Apprentice in particular had some popular winners, including Trace Adkins. In the following, we're going to take a look back at Trace's time on the reality show, and why he called his experience a stressful one. Despite the stress of it all, Adkins returned to the reality series, in large part, because of charity and raising money.
We'll take a closer look at why he returned to the show, and what he had to say about his current relationship with Donald Trump, speaking to Bill Maher. It looks like Trace doesn't have many regrets about his past, and that includes his time spent alongside Trump.
Trace Adkins Supported Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign
Trace Adkins appeared on two seasons of The Apprentice, both in 2008 and 2013. Adkins won the show, and was a strong presence throughout. It also seems like his time alongside Donald Trump was positive, given that he supported Donald during his campaign.
Adkins said back in 2015, "I think we’re in a very serious place in the history of this country and we need to take it pretty seriously, and I think he does. But I don’t think anybody else takes him seriously, so he’s having to deal with that."
"We’re not used to politicians talking like that, answering questions with their actual feelings and what they actually think about something," he says. "It’s just foreign to us. We don’t hear politicians talk like that."
"I think we ought to try a businessman running the show for awhile. I mean, nothing else has worked," he asserts. "The whole thing has just gotten — I mean, it’s just really hard to take any of it seriously right now. It’s just so crazy, just the way this whole campaign in all respects has just gotten a little silly from time to time."
Adkins kept things quiet once Donald got elected, however, he doesn't regret his past comments and relationship with the former President.
Trace Adkins Called His Experience On The Celebrity Apprentice The Most Stressful Time Of His Career
Adkins revealed that his experience on The Apprentice was the most stressful thing he's ever done. In fact, the country star only agreed to the gig because it linked a charity to the grand prize.
“The only reason that I would do a reality television show is because this one at least has a shred of nobility because of the charitable aspect of it,” Adkins said. “That’s the only reason that I even considered coming and doing something like this.”
Adkins admitted the show put him under circumstances he likely wouldn't tolerate in the real world.
“It puts me in a position where I’m forced to tolerate individuals that I normally wouldn’t tolerate. And just I don’t live my life like that. I don’t have to spend time around people that I abhor.”
Adkins returned to the show five years later and again, charity was the main reason for his improbable return and win.
"I held [producers] off for a month or so, kept telling them, ‘No, I’m not ever going [back].’ The first time I was on The Celebrity Apprentice was one of the most stressful periods of my adult life, and I didn’t want to come back and do it again. So it took my house burning down to get me to come back.”
It was quite the experience and given his words with Bill Maher, The Apprentice winner doesn't have any regrets.
Trace Adkins Told Bill Maher He Wasn't Asking For Forgiveness Given His History With Donald Trump
It shouldn't come as a surprise, but Bill Maher asked Trace Adkins about his past relationship with Donald Trump. The country star clearly showed no regrets with the association based on his response.
“He was always good to me." This wasn't a good enough response for Maher who said, "That means nothing. People said the same thing about O.J. ‘He was nice to me."
Maher did agree that Trump would come across in a decent manner. “I met him a few times, Trump. He was, I agree, he was very charming and personable in person. … He wants everyone to like him. That’s his big thing."
Adkins later made it clear that he's not asking for forgiveness, "I ain't asking forgiveness for s***."
Given Trace's intent on appearing on The Apprentice for his charity, it certainly doesn't appear like he was in the wrong.