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Trump picks Apprentice producer to be special envoy to UK

by DD Staff

December 22, 2024

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key takeaways

The producer of The Apprentice, British TV executive Mark Burnett, has been appointed by Donald Trump as his special envoy to the United Kingdom.

The former coworker who helped raise Mr. Trump's profile, according to the president-elect, would contribute "a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition" to the position.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Mr. Burnett disassociated himself from the tycoon, but he said he is "truly honored to serve The United States of America and President Trump" in the role.

Announcing the role, Mr Trump said: “It is my great honour 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.

“Mark is known for creating and producing some of the biggest shows in television history, including Survivor, Shark Tank, The Voice and, most notably, The Apprentice. He is the former chairman of MGM, and has won 13 Emmy Awards.

“Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges.”

It comes days after Sir Keir Starmer’s government caused controversy by appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US, with the appointment sparking outrage from within the Trump team.

One insider described it as a “horrible, arrogant” choice, while the president-elect’s campaign coordinator publicly called the Labour peer a “moron”.

The choice of the former EU commissioner and Blair-era minister, who previously attacked Mr Trump as “little short of a white nationalist and racist”, prompted a warning that Britain will be “locked out of the most important discussions” with the president-elect’s team because of a lack of trust.

In October 2016, Mr Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, distanced themselves from Mr Trump, criticising the “hatred, division and misogyny that has been a very unfortunate part of his campaign”.

The TV executive created The Apprentice and produced it along with a range of other reality TV programmes, winning 13 Emmy Awards.

Mr Trump has already nominated businessman Warren Stephens to serve as the US ambassador to the UK.

While Sir Keir last week told the The Independent that the UK and US have “an unbreakable relationship”, his government’s relationship with the incoming US administration has been increasingly turbulent.