President Donald Trump has appointed Mark Burnett, a British television producer who worked on Trump’s show “The Apprentice,” as the United States’ special envoy to the United Kingdom.
President Trump praised the 64-year-old Burnett in an announcement on Saturday’s Truth Social, saying, “Mark has had a distinguished career in television production and business, and brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition.” “We are bringing this to this important role.”
Trump went on to list several shows created and produced by Burnett, including “Survivor,” “Shark Tank,” “The Voice,” and most notably, “Survivor,” which aired from 2004 to 2017. Such as “The Apprentice,” which was hosted by Mr. Trump.
As former chairman of MGM Worldwide Television Group, Burnett won 13 Emmy Awards.
“Mark will work to strengthen our diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual benefit such as trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges,” Trump said, adding, “Congratulations Mark!”
Mr. Barnett’s appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, follows Mr. Trump’s nomination of Republican mega-donor and investment banker Warren Stevens to be U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.
President Trump’s other nominees include people with little experience in diplomacy or foreign policy. He recently appointed former NFL player Herschel Walker as ambassador to the Bahamas and his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner, as ambassador to France.
Two years ago, during Walker’s unsuccessful bid for the Senate nomination due to his anti-abortion beliefs, reports surfaced that he had pressured several women with whom he had intimate relationships to have abortions. . Meanwhile, Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 charges including illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and tampering with communications. President Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020.
President Trump also appointed Kimberly Guilfoyle, former girlfriend 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 brings more than 45 years of transportation leadership and success and will lead FRA into a new era of safety and innovation,” President Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
In a separate post, President Trump nominated billionaire Houston Rockets NBA team owner Tilman Fertitta to be his administration’s ambassador to Italy.
Fertitta is chairman and owner of Landry’s, which operates numerous restaurants, hotels and casinos across the United States.
President Trump praised the 67-year-old Texas native as an “accomplished businessman” and philanthropist in a social media post.
