 "Mark Burnett (left) and Donald Trump in Washington on 2 February 2017. File Image: AP")
US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed British television producer Mark Burnett as America’s special envoy to the United Kingdom. Burnett is known for producing several prominent television shows including Trump’s own show Apprentice, Survivor, Shark Tank and The Voice.
The Republican firebrand made the announcement of the appointment on Saturday on his social media platform TruthSocial. “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 wrote about the 64-year-old television producer.
Burnett was the former chair of the MGM Worldwide Television Group and has won 13 Emmys over the years. “Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges,” Trump said, adding: “Congratulations Mark!” It is pertinent to note that Burnett’s appointment does not require a confirmation from the US Senate.
Trump pays back to his mega-donors
Burnett’s appointment also followed Trump’s tapping of Republican mega-donor and investment banker Warren Stephens as the US’s ambassador to the UK. Several of Trump’s picks include individuals without significant diplomatic and foreign policy experience.
Earlier, Trump tapped the 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. However, some of these nominations have a controversial past. For instance, during Walker’s failed Senate nomination bid two years ago, throughout which he touted his anti-abortion beliefs, reports emerged of him allegedly pressuring multiple women – with whom he had had intimate relationships – to obtain 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 tampering. Trump eventually pardoned Kushner in 2020. Trump also appointed the former romantic partner of Donald Trump Jr, Kimberly Guilfoyle, as ambassador to Greece.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsApart from Burnett, on Saturday, Trump announced that David Fink will serve as an administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration after Trump comes to power. “David will bring his 45+ years of transportation leadership and success, which will deliver the FRA into a new era of safety and technological innovation,” the president-elect wrote on TruthSocial.
In a separate post on the same day, Trump picked billionaire Houston Rockets NBA team owner Tilman Fertitta to be his administration’s ambassador to Italy. Fertitta is the chair and owner of Landry’s, which operates a large collection of restaurants, hotels and casinos throughout the United States. Trump called the 67-year-old Texas Native an “accomplished businessman” and philanthropist.
With inputs from agencies.