Donald Trump 'appoints ex-The Apprentice producer' to become Special Envoy to Britain
12/21/2024 06:44 PM
DONALD Trump has appointed the creator of The Apprentice as a Special Envoy to the UK.
British TV producer Mark Burnett, 64, is set to take up the role after his hit show built Trump’s profile through the 2000s and 2010s.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It is my great honor to appoint Mark Burnett as the Special Envoy to the United Kingdom.
"With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role."
He went on to say Burnett was known for “creating and producing some of the biggest shows in Television History”.
They include Survivor, Shark Tank, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, and The Voice.
In a statement, Burnett said: "I am truly honored to serve The United States of America and President Trump as his Special Envoy to the United Kingdom."
Burnett will be the first Special Envoy to Britain and it is unclear so far what his specific job will for Trump.
But the president-elect shed some light on the new position.
Trump said: “Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges.”
In October 2016, Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, distanced themselves from Trump, criticising the “hatred, division and misogyny that has been a very unfortunate part of his campaign”.
Trump has already nominated businessman Warren Stephens to serve as the US ambassador to the UK.
On Friday, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Lord Peter Mandelson had been chosen as the UK’s ambassador in Washington.
The former Cabinet minister and European Union trade tsar said “it is a great honour to serve the country in this way”.
“We face challenges in Britain but also big opportunities and it will be a privilege to work with the government to land those opportunities, both for our economy and our nation's security, and to advance our historic alliance with the United States.”
However, the Labour grandee’s past remarks about Mr Trump – who he once described as “little short of a white nationalist and racist” – may yet plague attempts to foster close US-UK relations.
Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Mr Trump’s 2024 election campaign described Lord Mandelson as an “absolute moron”.
Trump has also tapped billionaire reality TV star Tilman Fertitta to be his ambassador to Italy.
Fertitta owns food and hospitality conglomerate Landry’s, Inc as well as the Houston Rockets and was the star of Billion Dollar Buyer on CNBC.
Trump hosted The Apprentice for 14 seasons between 2004 and 2017 with the show making him a household name.
