Donald Trump announced on Saturday as envoy to the United Kingdom the appointment of Mark Burnett, the creator and producer of the reality TV show The Apprentice which made the American billionaire very famous before his meteoric entry into politics in 2015.
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“Mark is renowned for creating and producing some of the greatest shows in television history,” the future president wrote in a statement, citing in particular “The Voice and, more particularly, The Apprentice».
“Mark will bring a unique blend of diplomatic know-how and international recognition to this important role,” said the Republican.
This appointment comes almost three weeks after that of the new United States ambassador in London – key ally of Washington – Warren Stephens, financial support of Donald Trump.
Unlike the position of ambassador, the role of envoy will not require a Senate confirmation vote.
“Mark will work to improve diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchanges,” assured the former 45e and future 47e American president.
Born in London, director of the television subsidiary of the MGM studio from 2018 to 2022, Mark Burnett achieved his greatest successes with the reality TV show The Apprenticebroadcast on NBC starting in 2004, for 15 seasons.
Presented until 2015 by Donald Trump, then a New York real estate developer, this game show allowed the future Republican president to invite himself into American homes.
In a large meeting room at Trump Tower, he received the candidates and dismissed one by broadcast, using his phrase that had become ritual: “You’re fired!» (“You’re fired!”).
«The Apprentice to permission [à Trump] to rebuild his name and, on a much larger scale, transformed him into an icon of American success,” wrote the magazine in 2018 New Yorker in a multi-Emmy Award-winning portrait of Mr. Burnett.
