KATE GOSSELIN: TRUMP’s NEWEST CHUMP?!

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KATE GOSSELIN’s im­age has taken a beat­ing since her reality TV glory days – but she’s hoping she can turn things around on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”

The infamous mom of eight knows that people don’t like her, and a source says she re­alizes this might be her last chance to change their minds.

The former star of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” and then “Kate Plus 8” saw her popularity decline as her marriage to hubby Jon crumbled – and it sank even further after her recent appear­ance on the “Today” show.

During a cringe-worthy interview with Savannah Guthrie on Jan. 16, Kate appeared an­gry with her 13-year-old twin daughters, Cara and Mady, when they clammed up and refused to answer Savannah’s questions. Kate was heavily criti­cized for the way she handled the situation, gruffly telling one of the girls: “It’s your chance… spit it out!”

“Kate looked like a mean, controlling mom and did more damage than good,” noted an insider. “She needs to use ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ to rehab the way viewers see her.”

But an “Apprentice” appear­ance could backfire on Kate. The divorced 38-year-old is a contestant on the 14th season of hit NBC program with a slew of other strong-willed celebrities, including Brandi Glanville of “The Real Housewives of Bev­erly Hills,” Kenya Moore of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera.

“Kate is looking for redemp­tion,” said the source. “But ‘Ap­prentice’ producers encourage drama and conflict, and if Kate loses her cool or has a mega meltdown, she’ll just be making her situation worse.”