Mark Burnett, the energy producer who helped reintroduce Donald Trump to a national television audience with “The Apprentice,” is being appointed by the president-elect as a special envoy to the United Kingdom in his next 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 announced on Saturday.
Burnett, who was born in London, helped produce hits like “Survivor” and “The Voice,” but is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Trump on “The Apprentice,” which first aired on NBC in 2004.
Trump has been well-known in real estate and pop culture circles for decades. But the show once again helped make him a household name — even though Trump cut ties with NBC in 2015, the same year he launched his first White House run.
Burnett's selection continues Trump's trend of filling his incoming administration with people with high-profile backgrounds in television or politics, or both — including his choice to be Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, the former host of “Fox & Friends.” Weekend,” and former TV doctor and unsuccessful Pennsylvania Senate candidate, Mehmet Oz.
Trump's first campaign in 2016 was rocked by allegations about his behavior on “The Apprentice” and his other appearances during his association with NBC, particularly in clips in which he said he could sexually assault women and get away with it because he was a “star.” “
Nearly a decade after leaving his reality TV role, Trump's television career remains central to his biography and political rise. The show presented Trump Tower to tens of millions of people as a symbol of power and success before Trump launched his first election campaign from the lobby of the building.
“Mark is known for creating and producing some of the biggest shows in the history of television,” Trump wrote in his statement on Burnett, listing several of his biggest hits before adding, “most notably, The Apprentice,” noting that Burnett “has won 13 Emmy Awards!” “
Later on Saturday, Trump announced in a separate statement that he had chosen casino magnate Tilman Fertitta to be the US ambassador to Italy.
Meanwhile, Burnett will be a special envoy, positions typically held by presidents of the world's traditional hot spots, including the Middle East — where Trump has already said he would like Steven Witkopf to fill the role. The United Kingdom, which has long enjoyed a “special relationship” with the United States that makes it one of Washington’s strongest allies globally, is not usually a candidate for such positions.
But Trump announced a series of special envoy positions for several top loyalists ahead of Inauguration Day on January 20, including his former ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who he selected as envoy for special assignments. This announcement joins previous announcements including Adam Buehler to serve as Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and Keith Kellogg to serve as Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
Trump had previously announced on December 2 that he would select billionaire investment banker Warren Stevens to take on the more regular role of US ambassador to Britain. This may raise questions about how a special British envoy could overlap with his duties, but the president-elect said in his statement that Burnett “will work to strengthen diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchanges.” “
Disclosure: Comcast's NBCUniversal is the parent company of NBC and CNBC.
