Donald Trump nominated Mark Burnettthe producer who helped him become a star with The Apprenticeas special envoy to Great Britain. “With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role,” the president-elect wrote in a social media post.
Mark Burnett, 64, is best known for reshaping American television with the reality show Survivor (the counterpart of Koh Lanta in the United States) in 2000. He also helped produce shows such as The Voice.
But it is The Apprentice which will forever link Mark Burnett and Donald Trump. The show, which began in 2004 on NBC and continued until 2017, was credited with rehabilitating Trump's image after it had been tarnished by financial difficulties.
“I am NOT pro-Trump”
The show presented Mr. Trump as the ultimate successful self-made billionaire. Candidates competed to prove their business skills through a series of challenges. One of them was eliminated at the end of each episode with Mr. Trump's catchphrase: “You're fired!” (You're fired!)” He also used it during the election campaign. “Kamala, You’re fired!” »
The show eventually spawned a spinoff program, The Celebrity Apprentice. Mr. Trump initially hosted this show, but ended up being fired himself. In 2015, NBC cut ties with him after he called Mexican immigrants rapists and murderers in a speech announcing his candidacy for the White House.
Mr. Burnett played a central role in one of Mr. Trump's first major scandals, when several women came forward in 2016 to say they had been assaulted by Mr. Trump, and a video surfaced showing Mr. Trump boasting about being able to sexually assault women without being prosecuted. Mr Burnett resisted pressure on him to release footage from the set of the show Apprentice which former team members say could reveal vulgar behavior on the part of Mr. Trump.
Functions not very clear
But days after Mr. Burnett said in a statement in October 2016 that he had “neither the ability nor the right to distribute footage or other material from 'The Apprentice,'” he also took distances with Donald Trump. “I am not and have never been a supporter of Donald Trump’s candidacy. I am NOT 'pro-Trump,'” Mr. Burnett said in a second statement. Additionally, my wife and I reject the hatred, division and misogyny that were a very unfortunate part of his campaign,” he added. However, at the end of that year, he helped organize the festivities for Mr. Trump's inauguration week.
Mr. Burnett's duties as special envoy are unclear. Mr. Trump has already appointed Warren Stephensinvestment banker and billionaire, to the post of ambassador to Great Britain. Mr Trump said Mr Burnett, who was born in London, would “work to improve diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchange “.
