WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Mark Burnett, the influential television producer who reconnected Donald Trump with a national audience through the reality show “The Apprentice,” has been appointed by the president-elect as the special envoy to the United Kingdom in his forthcoming administration.
Trump made the announcement on Saturday, highlighting Burnett’s “distinguished career” in television production and business. He emphasized that Burnett’s combination of diplomatic skills and international fame makes him an excellent fit for this significant role.
Born in London, Burnett is renowned for producing major television successes, including “Survivor” and “The Voice.” However, his collaboration with Trump on “The Apprentice,” which premiered on NBC in 2004, stands out as his most notable achievement. This show significantly raised Trump’s profile, turning him into a household name and cementing his status in American pop culture, despite their split from NBC in 2015 coinciding with Trump’s initial presidential campaign.
Burnett’s appointment is part of Trump’s broader strategy of surrounding himself with individuals possessing prominent backgrounds in either television or politics, or both. This trend includes other appointments, such as former “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and television personality Mehmet Oz, who previously ran for Senate in Pennsylvania.
Trump’s 2016 campaign faced significant controversy, particularly regarding his conduct on “The Apprentice” and his other NBC appearances, including infamous footage where he claimed he could engage in sexual misconduct with women and avoid repercussions due to his celebrity status.
Even after almost ten years since his departure from reality television, Trump’s television career continues to play a pivotal role in his biography and political journey. “The Apprentice” showcased Trump Tower as a symbol of success and influence, providing a dramatic backdrop for the launch of his first presidential campaign from its lobby.
In an official statement regarding Burnett, Trump praised him for creating and producing some of the most iconic shows in television history. Trump specifically highlighted “The Apprentice” and noted Burnett’s impressive tally of 13 Emmy Awards as evidence of his expertise and success in the industry.
On the same Saturday, Trump also announced the selection of casino mogul Tilman Fertitta as his nominee for U.S. ambassador to Italy. This selection comes alongside Burnett’s role as special envoy to the U.K., typically reserved for critical global hotspots. The United Kingdom, a long-standing and close ally of the U.S., is not usually designated for such envoy positions. However, Trump has opted to create various special envoy roles for key supporters ahead of his Inauguration Day on January 20.
Some of these positions include Richard Grenell, his former ambassador to Germany, who was chosen for special missions, along with Adam Boehler as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and Keith Kellogg for special envoy focusing on Ukraine and Russia.
Trump had previously announced on December 2 that he selected billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens for the conventional role of U.S. ambassador to Britain. This raises potential questions about overlapping responsibilities, but Trump clarified that Burnett’s focus will be on enhancing diplomatic relations, emphasizing areas of shared interest such as trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges.
