Trump Floats Idea of Leaving the White House
Donald Trump has teased the idea of stepping away from the presidency. Instead, he suggested he could pursue a full-time hosting career.
On Tuesday, December 23, the 79-year-old Republican raised the question directly to his followers. He asked whether they would support such a move.
A Question Posed on Truth Social
Trump shared the idea on Truth Social while promoting the upcoming Trump-Kennedy Center Honors, airing at 8 p.m. EST on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
He confirmed that he would host the event at the request of the board. The ceremony honors major entertainment figures, including Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, KISS, George Strait, and Gloria Gaynor.
Trump wrote:
“THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER HONORS will be broadcast tonight… Tune in at 8 P.M. EST!”
He then added a question that quickly drew attention.
“Tell me what you think of my ‘Master of Ceremony’ abilities. If really good, would you like me to leave the Presidency in order to make ‘hosting’ a full time job?”
Serious Suggestion or Familiar Tease?
It remains unclear whether Trump seriously intends to step down. However, teasing supporters would not be new territory for him.
Notably, 2025 marks ten years since he left The Apprentice, the reality show that helped elevate his public profile.
Trump’s Television Past
Trump hosted The Apprentice from 2004 to 2015. The show played a key role in turning him from a businessman into a household name.
That exposure later fueled his 2016 presidential campaign. However, critics later noted that the show projected an image of financial dominance that did not fully reflect his business struggles.
Slate once observed that the series portrayed Trump as a flawless mogul, even as some of his businesses faced repeated bankruptcies.
Exit From The Apprentice
During his first presidential run, NBC parted ways with Trump. The network cited comments he made about Mexican immigrants, which it said conflicted with its values.
That decision ended his long run as the show’s host.
A Controversial Hosting Role
Meanwhile, Trump’s role as host of Tuesday night’s honors has sparked controversy.
The event takes place at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, a change that has drawn strong opposition from members of the Kennedy family.
The Renaming Dispute
The venue was originally called the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Located in Washington, D.C., it serves as a memorial to the former president assassinated in 1963.
On December 18, the center’s board voted unanimously to add Trump’s name. The venue is now officially known as the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Kennedy Family Pushback
However, relatives of President Kennedy strongly objected.
Joe Kennedy III, JFK’s grandnephew, voiced his opposition clearly.
“The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law,” he said.
“It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial.”