Trump picks Apprentice producer to be special envoy to UK

Burnett's role will involve enhancing diplomatic relations and focusing on trade and cultural exchanges, despite past criticisms of Trump's campaign.

Donald Trump has named the producer behind The Apprentice as his special envoy to the UK. The president-elect said Mark Burnett would bring “a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition” to the role.

US President Elect, Donald Trump during his meeting with the Prince of Wales in the Salon Jaune room at the UK Ambassadors residence in Paris, France. The pair attended the Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening. Picture date: Saturday December 7, 2024.

British producer Mr Burnett helped build Mr Trump’s profile, but distanced himself from the tycoon during the 2016 presidential contest. Announcing the envoy role, Mr Trump said: “It is my great honour to appoint Mark Burnett as the special envoy to the United Kingdom. “With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role.

“Mark 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. He is the former chairman of MGM, and has won 13 Emmy Awards.

“Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges.” In October 2016, Mr Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, distanced themselves from Mr Trump, criticising the “hatred, division and misogyny that has been a very unfortunate part of his campaign”. Mr Trump has already nominated businessman Warren Stephens to serve as the US ambassador to the UK.

On Friday, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Lord Peter Mandelson had been chosen as the UK’s ambassador in Washington. The former Cabinet minister and European Union trade tsar said “it is a great honour to serve the country in this way”. However, the Labour grandee’s past remarks about Mr Trump – who he once described as “little short of a white nationalist and racist” – may yet plague attempts to foster close US-UK relations. Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Mr Trump’s 2024 election campaign described Lord Mandelson as an “absolute moron”.