Trump says he left ‘The Apprentice’ to run for president during ‘Million Dollar Pitch’ show segment

0 October 20, 2026 19:24

Five entrepreneurs selected from across 50 states will vie for a prize before a panel of celebrity judges and a live audience at a competition supported by the White House’s Freedom 250 initiative.

The entrepreneurs from Maine, Georgia, Iowa, Wyoming and California participated in the Million Dollar Pitch Competition, part of the Small Business Administration’s Freedom 250 initiative, "recognizing the entrepreneurs and small businesses that helped build America’s first 250 years, and those who will help build its next 250."

The show streamed live on the White House’s YouTube channel Tuesday, featuring a brief segment where the entrepreneurs met President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump told the group he left his longtime show, "The Apprentice" to run for president.

Contestants at the Sept. 18 final will compete for a $1 million total cash prize pool funded by Clover Network Inc., according to SBA, the breakdown of which includes:

1st place: $400,000
2nd place: $250,000
3rd place: $150,000
4th place: $125,000
5th place: $75,000

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/17/trump-million-dollar-pitch-competition-judges-contestants/91811105007/

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