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Donald Trump: This Season's Celebrity Apprentice Cast 'Very Competitive, Really Smart’

By:Radar Staff

Jan. 4 2012, Published 2:00 p.m. ET

By RadarOnline.com Staff

Donald Trump appearing on The Today Show Wednesday, introduced some of the cast members of the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice, touting the crop -- the biggest ever in show history -- as a bunch of "very, very competitive people, and really smart people."

This season's candidates are, in alphabetical order: American Idol singer Clay Aiken, race-car driver Marco Andretti, funnyman Adam Carolla, Wayne's World star Tia Carrere, Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno, 80s sensation Debbie Gibson, reality star Victoria Gotti, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Guidice, 90s late-night host Arsenio Hall, comic Penn Jillette, insult comic Lisa Lampanelli, Making the Band's Aubrey O'Day, American Chopper's Paul Teutal, model Cheryl Tiegs, ex-Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, Star Trek legend George Takei and model Patricia Velasquez.

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"Some of the folks are really competitive, and incredible," The Donald said, noting NBC ordered additional episodes of the show because of its standout ratings.

Trump, prodded to discuss politics following the Iowa caucuses, told host Matt Lauer he'd prefer to throw his support behind a Republican candidate to running himself, but the main focus is to get President Barack Obama -- who he said has done a terrible job -- out of office.