President-elect Donald J. Trump has appointed Mark Burnett, producer of “The Apprentice,” as special envoy to Britain. Mr. Burnett’s appointment comes after a long and successful collaboration between the two, with Mr. Trump crediting him for helping turn his image into a household name. The show, which debuted in 2004, presented Mr. Trump as a self-made billionaire and spawned a spinoff series.
Mr. Burnett is known for producing numerous TV shows, including “Survivor,” “Shark Tank,” and “The Voice.” However, it was “The Apprentice” that cemented his partnership with Mr. Trump. The reality show helped rehabilitate Mr. Trump’s image after financial difficulties tarnished his reputation.
Mr. Burnett resisted pressure to release footage from the “Apprentice” set in 2016, when several women accused Mr. Trump of sexual misconduct. However, he later distanced himself from Mr. Trump and rejected his candidacy. Despite this, Mr. Burnett was involved in planning events for Mr. Trump’s inaugural week.
As special envoy to Britain, Mr. Burnett will work on diplomatic relations with the UK, focusing on trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges. It is unclear if he will require Senate confirmation, but the role may not meet the standard set out in U.S. law.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/us/politics/mark-burnett-special-envoy.html