Mark Burnett, the energy producer who helped reintroduce Donald Trump to a national television audience with “The Apprentice,” is being tapped by the president-elect to function special envoy to the United Kingdom in his incoming administration.
“With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role,” Trump said Saturday.
Burnett, who was born in London, helped produce hits like “Survivor” and “The Voice” but is maybe best known for his collaboration with Trump on “The Apprentice,” which first aired on NBC in 2004.
Trump had been known in real estate and popular culture circles for many years. But the show helped make him a household name again — although Trump cut ties with NBC in 2015, the identical 12 months he launched his first White House gig.
Burnett's alternative continues Trump's trend of filling his latest administration with individuals with distinguished backgrounds in television or politics or each — including his Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, a former co-host of “Fox & Friends.” “. Weekend” and former television doctor and unsuccessful Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, Mehmet Oz.
Trump's first campaign in 2016 was rocked by allegations about his behavior on “The Apprentice” and other appearances while working with NBC, particularly footage through which he said he could sexually assault women and get away scot-free because he was a “star.” ” be. “
Nearly a decade after he left his reality TV role, Trump's television profession stays central to his biography and political rise. The show presented Trump Tower as an emblem of power and success to tens of hundreds of thousands of individuals before Trump launched his first campaign from the constructing's lobby.
“Mark is known for creating and producing some of the greatest shows in the history of television,” Trump wrote in his statement to Burnett, listing lots of his biggest hits before adding, “most notably 'The Apprentice,'” and identified that Burnett “has won 13 Emmy Awards!”
Later Saturday, Trump announced in a separate statement that he had chosen casino magnate Tilman Fertitta as his nominee for U.S. ambassador to Italy.
Burnett, meanwhile, might be a special envoy whose posts are typically filled by presidents for the world's traditional trouble spots, including the Middle East – where Trump has already said he desires to tap Steven Witkoff for the role. The UK, which has long enjoyed a “special relationship” with the US that makes it one in every of Washington’s strongest global allies, just isn’t normally a candidate for such posts.
But Trump has announced a series of special envoy positions ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20 for several top loyalists, including his former ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, whom he has chosen as a special missions envoy. This announcement follows previous announcements including Adam Boehler as Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs and Keith Kellogg as Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
Trump had already announced on December 2nd that he was choosing billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens for the more usual role of US ambassador to Great Britain. That could raise questions on how the duties of a British special envoy might overlap, however the president-elect said in his statement that Burnett “will work to improve diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities.” and cultural exchange.” “
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