British TV executive Mark Burnett created The Apprentice and produced it along with a range of other reality TV programmes, winning 13 Emmy Awards
US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed British TV executive Mark Burnett, who produced him on The Apprentice, as his special envoy to the UK. Trump said it was his “great honour” to pick his former colleague for the role, which is separate to the position of US ambassador to the UK.
“Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges,” he added. Burnett said in a statement: “I am truly honoured to serve The United States of America and President Trump as his Special Envoy to the United Kingdom.”
He created The Apprentice and produced it along with a range of other reality TV programmes, winning 13 Emmy Awards. “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 on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday.
The president-elect, who takes office next month, has already picked billionaire donor Warren Stephens as his ambassador to the UK. While Stephens’s nomination requires confirmation by the US Senate, Burnett’s role needs no such approval.
Burnett, 64, was raised in Essex and served as a paratrooper in the Army before emigrating to the US in 1982, when he was 22. He went on to work for MGM and became known as a significant figure in reality television.
In addition to creating and producing The Apprentice, Burnett created formats such as Survivor and Shark Tank – the US version of Dragon’s Den. He helped propel Trump, a real estate developer, to new heights of fame as he starred in The Apprentice from 2008-15.
Burnett became president of MGM Television in December 2015, but stood aside in 2022 when Amazon acquired the studio. He had a role in planning Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.
Burnett told the BBC in 2010 that Trump was “fearless” and “a big, strong tough guy”. “He is a very, very down-to-earth normal guy and he’s a really, really loyal friend and, as I’ve seen him with many other people, not the kind of enemy you would want,” said Burnett.
Trump’s first run for the presidency as Republican nominee in 2016 was plunged into crisis as tapes emerged of him telling Access Hollywood presenter Billy Bush that “you can do anything” to women “when you’re a star”. Burnett released a statement at the time denying he was a supporter of Trump.
“Further, my wife and I reject the hatred, division and misogyny that has been a very unfortunate part of his campaign,” he said. Burnett is married to Londonderry-born actress Roma Downey. Another former producer of The Apprentice subsequently claimed that Trump had been heard making “far worse” remarks in recordings from the show.
But Burnett rejected calls to release all outtakes of Trump, saying he was unable to do so and citing “various contractual and legal requirements”.
Attorney who charged Adani resigns
Meanwhile, Attorney Breon Peace, has tendered in his resignation weeks before the Trump 2.0 administration is set to take over.
In a press release by the US Department of Justice, it was announced, “Breon Peace is resigning as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York on January 10, 2025. Mr. Peace has served in the position since October 15, 2021”.
According to the Department of Justice, First Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Pokorny will become the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York upon Peace’s departure.
In his resignation statement, Breon Peace remarked during his tenure he worked to protect over eight million residents of Eastern District of New York, upheld rule of law and promoted civil rights and dignity for all people.
“As United States Attorney, I have had the singularly rewarding experience of being called to public service and leadership in a district that is filled with people of different backgrounds and life experiences – yet share a common bond of humanity. Throughout my tenure I have also had the good fortune to work with some of the most talented prosecutors and staff to be found anywhere in the country and this district and our nation are the better for their skill, sacrifice and service”.
He further added, “As I leave the Office, I will always be grateful for the extraordinary work we have done together in furthering our mission, doing the right thing always and in achieving justice with honor and integrity. And, I look forward to the Office’s continued courageous commitment to pursuing justice, fairly and ethically, without bias, without fear or favor, and with compassion and empathy for our fellow human beings.”
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York had recently been among those who had announced charges against Guatami Adani and other executives linking them to an alleged bribery case. The Adani Group in November had strongly refuted the bribery allegations calling them baseless. (ANI)