Donald Trump has appointed Mark Burnett, a British television producer who helped produce Trump’s show The Apprentice, as the US’s special envoy to the UK.
In an announcement on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump hailed 64-year-old Burnett, saying: “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 went on to cite multiple shows that Burnett had created and produced including Survivor, Shark Tank, The Voice and, most notably, The Apprentice, which ran from 2004 to 2017 and featured Trump as its host.
As the former chair of MGM Worldwide Television Group, Burnett has won 13 Emmys.
“Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges,” Trump said, adding: “Congratulations Mark!”
Burnett’s appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, follows Trump’s tapping of Republican mega-donor and investment banker Warren Stephens as the US’s ambassador to the UK.
Trump’s other picks also include individuals who lack diplomatic and foreign policy experience. He recently tapped the former NFL player Herschel Walker as ambassador to the Bahamas, as well as his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner, as ambassador to France.
During Walker’s failed Senate nomination bid two years ago, throughout which he touted his anti-abortion beliefs, reports emerged of him allegedly pressuring multiple women – with whom he had had intimate relationships with – to obtain abortions. Meanwhile, Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and wire tampering. Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020.
Trump has also appointed Kimberly Guilfoyle, the former romantic partner of Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr, as ambassador to Greece.
Also on Saturday, David Fink was named administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.
“David will bring his 45+ years of transportation leadership and success, which will deliver the FRA into a new era of safety and technological innovation,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
In a separate post, Trump picked billionaire Houston Rockets NBA team owner Tilman Fertitta to be his administration’s ambassador to Italy.
Fertitta is the chair and owner of Landry’s, which operates a large collection of restaurants, hotels and casinos throughout the United States.
Trump, in his social media post, lauded the 67-year-old Texas native as an “accomplished businessman” and philanthropist.
