Trump appoints The Apprentice producer as US special envoy to UK | Trump administration

Donald Trump has appointed Mark Burnett, a British TV producer who helped produce Trump’s show The Apprentice, as the United States’ special envoy to Britain.

In an announcement on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump paid tribute to Burnett, 64, 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 several 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 was hosted by Trump.

As former chairman of MGM Worldwide Television Group, Burnett has won 13 Emmys.

“Mark will work to strengthen 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 US ambassador to Britain.

Trump’s other choices also include people who lack diplomatic and foreign policy experience. He recently selected 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 bid for the Senate nomination two years ago, in which he touted his anti-abortion beliefs, reports emerged that he allegedly pressured several women – with whom he had been intimate – to have 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 fraud. 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 that will usher the FRA into a new era of safety and technological innovation,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

In a separate post, Trump tapped 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 a large collection of restaurants, hotels and casinos throughout the United States.

In his social media post, Trump praised the 67-year-old Texas native as an “astute businessman” and philanthropist.