Donald Trump is hiring an old associate from his reality TV days for a diplomatic post in his second administration.
Mark Burnett, the British producer who created NBC's The Apprentice, will serve as Trump's special envoy to the United Kingdom.
"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 Truth Social on Saturday.
The position is a separate from that of U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., for which Trump has nominated billionaire donor Warren Stephens.
Special envoy positions are more limited in scope and do not require Senate confirmation.
"Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges," Trump said.
In addition to The Apprentice, Burnett created hit shows like Shark Tank, Survivor, and the Voice, winning 13 Emmy awards in all.
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."
Trump was already an iconic real estate mogul when The Apprentice debuted in 2004. The series, in which Trump famously bellowed "you're fired!" to the losing contestant, further established his reputation as a tough, savvy businessman.
Trump's life, and the course of political history, were forever changed in 2015 when he ran for the presidency. He became a pariah in show business virtually overnight, as millions of American "deplorables" who had been dismissed by the political establishment embraced Trump as their champion.
Almost a decade after his first stunning upset against Hillary Clinton, Trump has defied the odds again in a spectacular comeback - and he is enjoying newfound popularity after surviving assassination and an avalanche of politically charged legal cases on his path back to the White House.
As he prepares for his second term, Trump is hiring primarily loyalists. When Trump first came to Washington as a political novice, he relied on insiders who frequently obstructed his agenda.
In 2010, Burnett gushed to the BBC about Trump, calling him "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 at the time.
