President-Elect Appoints Outspoken Christian As Special Envoy
President-elect Donald Trump recently appointed Mark Burnett, the former producer of The Apprentice and a vocal Christian, as the Special Envoy to the United Kingdom. Born in London and having moved to the U.S. in 1982, Burnett is a renowned television producer, with a career spanning successful shows such as Survivor, Shark Tank, The Voice, and The Apprentice. He served as the chairman of MGM from 2018 to 2002 and has won 13 Emmy Awards for his work.
Trump expressed his excitement about the appointment in a Truth Social post, noting that Burnett’s unique combination of business expertise and international recognition made him well-suited for the diplomatic role. He emphasized Burnett’s focus on strengthening U.S.-U.K. relations, particularly in areas like trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Burnett, alongside his wife Roma Downey, an actress known for Touched by an Angel, has been open about his Christian faith and produced multiple faith-based projects. They co-produced The Bible miniseries, which aired in 2013 and attracted 100 million viewers, as well as A.D. and the movie Son of God. Burnett and Downey are also involved in charitable efforts, particularly through their Cradle Fund, which supports displaced people in the Middle East.
While Burnett distanced himself from Trump during the 2016 election due to the release of the Access Hollywood tape, he later became involved in Trump’s inauguration planning. In 2018, Burnett and Downey requested prayers for their son Cameron, who recovered after a serious illness. In addition to Burnett’s appointment, Trump nominated billionaire Warren Stephens as his ambassador to the U.K.