WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he had selected the producer of his long-running reality television show, “The Apprentice,” to be his administration’s special envoy to the United Kingdom.
Mark Burnett, 64, created the show, which made Trump internationally famous for firing a succession of contestants vying for roles in his businesses. The British native also created or produced “Survivor,” “Shark Tank” and other shows and was the chairman of MGM Worldwide Television Group.
Trump had previously selected businessman Warren Stephens to be his ambassador to the UK. Britain’s government on Friday named Peter Mandelson as its new ambassador to the U.S. with a mission of wooing Trump, avoiding a trade war and keeping the two countries aligned over Ukraine.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Burnett will “work to enhance diplomatic relations” and would focus on “trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchanges.”
(Reporting by Brad Heath; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
