Donald Trump has appointed British producer Mark Burnett, who launched the president-elect to international fame with “The Apprentice,” as a special envoy to the United Kingdom.
“It is my great honor to appoint Mark Burnett as the Special Envoy to the United Kingdom,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his personal social media platform. “With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role.”
Burnett helped launch Trump as a media figure on the international stage with the success of the competition reality series “The Apprentice,” which ran on NBC from 2004 to 2016 with Trump running the show from the boardroom of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.
In announcing the appointment, Trump highlighted Burnett’s 13 career Emmy wins and several of his credits, adding that he 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.’”
“Mark will continue to enhance diplomatic relations,” Trump continued. “Focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges. Congratulations Mark!”
Burnett, one of TV’s most successful producers of the past three decades, mostly stayed at arm’s length from Trump during his first term in office, when Trump’s extreme policies and harsh rhetoric sparked immediate opposition in Hollywood’s creative community where Burnett needs to work with a wide range of creatives. Burnett’s appointment is another sign that Trump in his second term seems likely to face less of an organized resistance from Hollywood liberals. Throughout Trump’s first presidential campaign and term in office, Burnett faced periodic bursts of public pressure to release outtakes from Trump’s many seasons on “The Apprentice” amid speculation and allegations that Trump had made disturbing comments about women and people of color.
The appointment also comes at a time when Burnett is between chapters. He exited MGM in 2022 after Amazon completed its acquisition of the studio. Burnett sold his One Three Media company to MGM, including his stakes in NBC’s “The Voice,” CBS’ “Survivor,” ABC’s “Shark Tank” and more, in two transactions in 2014 and 2015 that netted him upwards of $100 million. After that, Burnett became chairman of MGM Television even as he remained an active producer of his own projects.
Trump already pegged investment banker Warren Stephens as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom in early December. Although both are diplomats, Burnett’s role as envoy is a specialized position designated for specific transactions and negotiations. Stephens, as ambassador, has a more permanent position and will act as the main point of communication between the U.K. and the U.S..
“I am truly honored to serve The United States of America and President Trump as his Special Envoy to the United Kingdom,” said Burnett via a spokesperson.
(Cynthia Littleton contributed to this report.)
