"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 announced on Saturday.
Burnett, who was born in London, helped produce hits like Survivor and The Voice, but is perhaps best known for teaming up with Trump for The Apprentice,"which first aired on NBC in 2004.
Trump had been well-known in real estate and pop culture circles for decades. But the show helped again make him a household name — though Trump severed ties with NBC in 2015, the same year he launched his first White House run.
The Apprentice brought Donald Trump a wave of publicity and put him back onto the A-list. (AP PHOTO)
The selection of Burnett continues Trump's trend of filling out his incoming administration with people who have high-profile backgrounds in television or politics, or both — including his choice to be defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, a former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, and ex-television doctor and unsuccessful Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, Mehmet Oz.
Trump's first campaign in 2016 was rocked by allegations about his conduct on The Apprentice and other appearances during his association with NBC, notably in footage in which he said he could sexually assault women and get away with it because he was a "star".
Almost a decade after he left his reality TV role, Trump's television career remains central to his biography and political rise.
The show presented Trump Tower to tens of millions of people as a symbol of power and success before Trump launched his first campaign from the building's lobby.
"Mark is known for creating and producing some of the biggest shows in Television History," Trump wrote in his statement on Burnett, listing many of his biggest hits before adding, "most notably, The Apprentice and noting that Burnett "has won 13 Emmy Awards!"
Lara Trump is removing herself from consideration to be a Florida senator. (AP PHOTO)
Meanwhile, Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump said on Saturday she's removing herself from consideration to be a Florida senator — ending speculation that she could replace Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who has been tapped to be the incoming administration's secretary of state.
"After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate," Lara Trump posted on X.
Instead, she promised a "big announcement to share in January."
After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate. — Lara Trump (@LaraLeaTrump) I could not have been more honored to serve as RNC co-chair during the most high-stakes election of our… https://t.co/ARdvTQki9NDecember 21, 2024
Trump also said he would nominate billionaire Houston Rockets pro basketball team owner Tilman Fertitta to be his administration's ambassador to Italy.
Fertitta is the chairman and owner of Landry's, which operates a large collection of restaurants, hotels and casinos throughout the United States.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump lauded the 67-year-old Texas native as an "accomplished businessman" and philanthropist.
