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During Tuesday’s episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg criticized President Donald Trump, comparing his presidency to his past role as host of the reality TV show The Apprentice. Her comments came as ABC’s Jonathan Karl appeared on the show to discuss his new book, Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America.
Karl shared insights on the possibility of Trump seeking a third term in 2028, a prospect that left Goldberg feeling uneasy. He expressed skepticism about Trump making another bid for the presidency, although he acknowledged that discussions around such a move could quickly escalate.
“The moment he signals he won’t run again, he becomes a lame duck president, and all the attention shifts to potential successors like Marco Rubio or J.D. Vance,” Karl observed. “I imagine he’d enjoy playing the role of a mentor, akin to The Apprentice, in choosing his successor. But stepping out of the spotlight entirely? That’s a tough call for him.”
Despite the speculation, Karl mentioned he has heard Trump tell acquaintances that he plans to “leave at the end of this,” suggesting an end to his political ambitions after his current term.
However, Karl confirmed that he has heard Trump tell his “friends” that he is “leaving at the end of this.”
Earlier during their discussion, Karl also noted that Trump seems to be thinking more abotu the legacy he will leave behind as he continues focusing on the White House ballroom renovation and brokering peace abroad. Goldberg complained, noting the government shutdown is “hurting people now.”
“Well, that’s our president. That’s our president y’all. And so everything thats happening in Europe and everything that’s happening outside of here seems to be what he’s all about,” Goldberg said. “And he wants to make the U.S. The Apprentice.”
“I don’t know if I want to play that game,” she commented. “I actually need somebody to take care of these folks.”
When Goldberg asked Karl what Trump’s “endgame” may be, Karl speculated, “He is thinking now, more than he ever did, – I don’t think he thought much about it in the first term – about his place in history and his legacy and he sees it in different terms than what you’re defining.”
“He sees it in terms of like how the White House is transformed and how he’s lauded around the world as a great peacemaker,” he said.
The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.