President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he wants British TV producer Mark Burnett, who created “The Apprentice,” to serve as his special envoy to the United Kingdom for a second term.
“With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique combination of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role,” Trump said of his longtime friend in a statement released on his Truth Social platform. “I’m doing it,” he said.
“Prime Minister Mark will work to strengthen our diplomatic relationship by focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges,” Trump wrote.
“The Apprentice,” of course, was the NBC reality show that propelled Trump’s name and brand to national and international prominence in New York-area tabloids when its first season debuted in 2004.
Burnett has been credited with patching up deficiencies in Trump’s public image by downplaying his many failed business ventures and flaunting his real estate holdings, so the network could present him as an icon of American capitalist achievement.
Stephen Shugerman via Getty Images
At the time, Burnett had already played a key role in the launch of the ‘Survivor’ franchise in 2000. He went on to produce the hit corporate show ‘Shark Tank.’ It previously starred one of Trump’s most famous figures, billionaire businessman Mark Cuban. Detractors — and produced other hits such as “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?”
But the reality TV mogul has been mostly quiet about his relationship with Trump since launching his 2016 presidential campaign.
Weeks before that year’s election, Burnett was publicly criticized during the opening monologue by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel at the 2016 Emmy Awards.
“Television brings people together. But television can also divide us. I mean, if it weren’t for television, would Donald Trump have run for president? no.” Kimmel said before turning the blame directly to Burnett, who was seen laughing in the audience.
“We don’t need to watch reality shows anymore because we live in a reality show. Thank you, Mark.” Kimmel said without smiling.
Just a few weeks later, Burnett issued a statement insisting that he never supported Trump’s presidential ambitions.
“I am not now and have never supported candidate Donald Trump. “I am not ‘pro-Trump,’” Burnett said in October 2016. “Furthermore, my wife and I reject the hatred, divisiveness, and misogyny that have been a very unfortunate part of his campaign.”
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The statement comes just days after Trump was revealed to have boasted that being a celebrity means he can freely grab women “by the pussy.”
The diplomatic performance seemed to indicate that Burnett and Trump have mended fences.
