Trump Denies Executive Role in Apprentice TV Show Relaunch

US President-elect Donald Trump called CNN claims that he would remain an executive producer on a reality show he helped create 'fake news.'

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — US President-elect Donald Trump blasted the CNN television channel on Saturday for claims he would remain an executive producer on a reality show he helped create and hosted for over a decade.

"I have NOTHING to do with The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark [Burnett] and have a big stake in it. Will devote ZERO TIME!" the former billionaire businessman tweeted.

I have NOTHING to do with The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark B & have a big stake in it. Will devote ZERO TIME!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016

​The story was first reported by the Variety magazine, which said the NBC show was returning for its 15th season next month with a new host, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Trump hosted it in 2004-2015.

"Reports by CNN that I will be working on The Apprentice during my Presidency, even part time, are rediculous [sic] and untrue — FAKE NEWS!" he continued.

Reports by @CNN that I will be working on The Apprentice during my Presidency, even part time, are ridiculous & untrue — FAKE NEWS!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016

​The CNN said Trump’s participation in the show as an exec had been confirmed by NBC sources and raised concerns of a possible conflict of interest, since the show is aired by a channel that also reports on his presidency.