Trump nominates billionaire restaurateur as ambassador to Italy and appoints new special envoy to UK

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he nominated billionaire restaurateur Tilman Fertitta as the US ambassador to Italy.

“I am pleased to announce that Tilman J. Fertitta has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to Italy,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, Caliber.Az reports.  

Tilman is an accomplished businessman, who has founded and built one of our Country’s premier entertainment and real estate companies, employing approximately 50,000 Americans. Tilman has a long history of giving back to the community through numerous philanthropic initiatives, which include children’s charities, Law Enforcement, and the medical community. Additionally, Tilman is the longest serving Chairman of the Board of Regents for the University of Houston. 

He also owns the Houston Rockets Basketball Team. Congratulations to Tilman, and his remarkable family! he wrote. Tilman Fertitta made his fortune in the restaurant and hospitality industries, with his assets valued at $10.4 billion. He is the tenth billionaire that Donald Trump has nominated for a position in his upcoming administration.

Moreover, Trump has appointed British TV executive Mark Burnett, known for producing The Apprentice with Trump, as his special envoy to the UK. Trump expressed that it was a "great honor" to choose his former colleague for the role, which is distinct from 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 and produced The Apprentice along with several other reality TV shows, earning 13 Emmy Awards in the process.  

"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 December 21.  

In addition to creating and producing The Apprentice, Burnett developed shows like Survivor and Shark Tank, the US version of Dragon’s Den. He played a key role in boosting Trump’s fame, as the real estate developer starred in The Apprentice from 2008 to 2015.

By Naila Huseynova