Donald Trump’s inaugural committee is scrambling to lock in A-list Hollywood performers for the parties celebrating him — and having a rough time booking big names, two insiders tell TheWrap.
Both said that Trump inaugural committee members have contacted them in recent days offering cash or even a government appointment if they could deliver marquee names.
“They are willing to pay anything,” one of the insiders told TheWrap. “They told me, ‘We’ll pay their fees.’ Most of these artists’ fees are in the six to seven figures.” The insider said the Trump negotiator also offered to pay him for delivering top talent, saying, “Name your price.”
Photo: Al Bello, Getty Images
Johnny DamonOutfielder who won a World Series with both the Yankees and the Red Sox
Endorsement: "I'm a Trump fan ever since I met him seven or eight years ago. Everything he does, he does first-class — his hotels, his businesses, his golf courses. The issues all the other politicians failed to discuss, (Trump) is bringing us up to speed."
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Johnny Damon
Outfielder who won a World Series with both the Yankees and the Red Sox
Endorsement: "I'm a Trump fan ever since I met him seven or eight years ago. Everything he does, he does first-class — his
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Photo: Al Bello, Getty Images
Paul O'Neill New York Yankees fan favorite
Endorsement: "I'm here." -O'Neill's response when Trump asked for his endorsement.
Paul O'Neill
New York Yankees fan favorite
Endorsement: "I'm here." -O'Neill's response when Trump asked for his endorsement.
Photo: Kathy Willens, AP
Jon VoightOscar-winning actor and father of Angelina Jolie
Endorsement: "When he decided to run for president, I know he did it with a true conviction to bring this country back to prosperity. He is the only one who can do it. No frills, no fuss, only candid truths."
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Jon Voight
Oscar-winning actor and father of Angelina Jolie
Endorsement: "When he decided to run for president, I know he did it with a true conviction to bring this country back to prosperity. He is the only one
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Photo: Richard Shotwell, Associated Press
Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle
Aaron CarterFormer teen pop star who beat Shaq
Endorsement: "Does America want to have a president who FOLLOWS or someone who leads? I vote For @realdonaldtrump" via Twitter
Aaron Carter
Former teen pop star who beat Shaq
Endorsement: "Does America want to have a president who FOLLOWS or someone who leads? I vote For @realdonaldtrump" via Twitter
Photo: Nick Smith, Getty Images
Dennis Rodman
NBA star and eccentric bad boy
Endorsement: To Ted Cruz ... "He's about to fire your a** too!" via Twitter
Dennis Rodman
NBA star and eccentric bad boy
Endorsement: To Ted Cruz ... "He's about to fire your a** too!" via Twitter
Photo: BILL KOSTROUN, AP
Carl IcahnBillionaire investor
Endorsement: "Donald Trump is what this country needs."
Carl Icahn
Billionaire investor
Endorsement: "Donald Trump is what this country needs."
Photo: Victor J. Blue / Bloomberg
Tito OrtizRetired MMA star and former "Celebrity Apprentice"
Endorsement: "He's just trying to keep our country safe. He has my vote, being Latino or not."
Tito Ortiz
Retired MMA star and former "Celebrity Apprentice"
Endorsement: "He's just trying to keep our country safe. He has my vote, being Latino or not."
Photo: Jesse Grant, WireImage
Latrell Sprewell
4-time NBA all-star who's probably better remembered for choking his coach
Endorsement: He wrote "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump !!!" after he won Nevada in a since-deleted Tweet. He also retweeted a post that was critical of Al Sharpton's anti-Donald Trump stance.
lessLatrell Sprewell
4-time NBA all-star who's probably better remembered for choking his coach
Endorsement: He wrote "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump !!!" after he won Nevada in a since-deleted Tweet. He also
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Willie Robertson"Duck Dynasty" star
Endorsement: "Mr. Trump is a real leader. He represents success and strength, two attributes our country needs."
Willie Robertson
"Duck Dynasty" star
Endorsement: "Mr. Trump is a real leader. He represents success and strength, two attributes our country needs."
Photo: Andy Kropa, Associated Press
Brian FranceNASCAR CEO
Endorsement: "He has had an incredible career and achieved tremendous success. This is what we need for our country."
Brian France
NASCAR CEO
Endorsement: "He has had an incredible career and achieved tremendous success. This is what we need for our country."
Photo: Chuck Burton, STF
Bill Elliott Hall of Fame Nascar driver*
Endorsement: "He is a leader representing strength and common sense solutions."
*His son Chase Elliott, a current NASCAR driver, also endorsed Trump.
Bill Elliott
Hall of Fame Nascar driver*
Endorsement: "He is a leader representing strength and common sense solutions."
*His son Chase Elliott, a current NASCAR driver, also endorsed Trump.
Photo: John Raoux
Louis Farrakhan
Nation of Islam minister and radical leader
Louis Farrakhan
Nation of Islam minister and radical leader
David DukeFormer KKK grand wizard and 1988 Populist Party presidential candidate
Endorsement: "Voting against Donald Trump at this point is really treason to your heritage.”
David Duke
Former KKK grand wizard and 1988 Populist Party presidential candidate
Endorsement: "Voting against Donald Trump at this point is really treason to your heritage.”
Photo: AP
Jean-Marie Le Pen
Far-right founder of France's anti-immigrant National Front
Jean-Marie Le Pen
Far-right founder of France's anti-immigrant National Front
Ann CoulterConservative columnist and expert rabble-rouser
Ann Coulter
Conservative columnist and expert rabble-rouser
Photo: PAUL DRINKWATER, AP
Paula JonesOnce sued Bill Clinton for sexual harassment
Endorsement: "I am 100% voting for you! We need a real President with brains and guts!" via Twitter
Paula Jones
Once sued Bill Clinton for sexual harassment
Endorsement: "I am 100% voting for you! We need a real President with brains and guts!" via Twitter
Photo: Amy Graves, Getty Images
Jerry Falwell, Jr.President of evangelical Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
Endorsement: “A successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father and a man who I believe can lead our country to greatness again.”
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Jerry Falwell, Jr.
President of evangelical Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
Endorsement: “A successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father and a man who I believe can lead our country to
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Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Staff / Getty Images
Paul LePage Maine's outspoken governor
Endorsement: "He is not afraid of the political establishment, he's not afraid of lobbyists, special interests and most of all, folks, he's not afraid of the United States liberal media!"
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Paul LePage
Maine's outspoken governor
Endorsement: "He is not afraid of the political establishment, he's not afraid of lobbyists, special interests and most of all, folks, he's not afraid of the
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Photo: Robert F. Bukaty
Mike DitkaFormer head coach of Da Bears
Endorsement: "If I were to vote tomorrow, I'd probably vote for Trump."
Mike Ditka
Former head coach of Da Bears
Endorsement: "If I were to vote tomorrow, I'd probably vote for Trump."
Photo: Jordan Strauss, Associated Press
Joe Arpaio"America's Toughest Sheriff" in Arizona's Maricopa County, known for his anti-immigration views and making inmates wear pink.
Endorsement: "Donald Trump is a leader. He produces results."
Joe Arpaio
"America's Toughest Sheriff" in Arizona's Maricopa County, known for his anti-immigration views and making inmates wear pink.
Endorsement: "Donald Trump is a leader. He produces results."
Photo: Ross Franklin, STF
Jeff SessionsSenator (R-Ala.) and former Ted Cruz ally on immigration
Endorsement: "At this time in American history, we need to make America great again."
Jeff Sessions
Senator (R-Ala.) and former Ted Cruz ally on immigration
Endorsement: "At this time in American history, we need to make America great again."
Photo: Susan Walsh, STF
Duncan HunterVaping House rep (R-Calif.)
Endorsement: "We don't need a policy wonk as president. We need a leader as president."
Duncan Hunter
Vaping House rep (R-Calif.)
Endorsement: "We don't need a policy wonk as president. We need a leader as president."
Photo: Tom Williams, CQ Roll Call
Jan BrewerFormer Arizona governor who once scolded Obama on an airport runway
Jan Brewer
Former Arizona governor who once scolded Obama on an airport runway
Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press
Gary BuseyCrazed villain in "Lethal Weapon"; manman in his own right
Endorsement: "I know him personally. I know him professionally. He's a great guy."
Gary Busey
Crazed villain in "Lethal Weapon"; manman in his own right
Endorsement: "I know him personally. I know him professionally. He's a great guy."
Photo: Adam Taylor, ABC
Stephen BaldwinBaldwin brother
Endorsement: “I think he's fantastic. I love him. I think he'd make a great president."
Stephen Baldwin
Baldwin brother
Endorsement: “I think he's fantastic. I love him. I think he'd make a great president."
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Sarah PalinFormer governor of Alaska and current beat poet
Endorsement: "... He tells us Joe six packs, he said, 'You know, I've worked very, very hard. And I've succeeded. Hugely I've succeeded,' he says. And he says, 'I want you to succeed, too.'"
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Sarah Palin
Former governor of Alaska and current beat poet
Endorsement: "... He tells us Joe six packs, he said, 'You know, I've worked very, very hard. And I've succeeded. Hugely I've succeeded,' he says. And
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Photo: Joshua Lott, Getty Images
Lou FerrignoBody builder who you won't like when he's angry
Lou Ferrigno
Body builder who you won't like when he's angry
Photo: CBS Via Getty Images
Rafael CorreaLeftist president of Ecuador
Endorsement: "I think that (Trump) would be very bad for the U.S., but Latin America is independent enough ... and for the progressives in Latin American, I think it would be positive."
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Rafael Correa
Leftist president of Ecuador
Endorsement: "I think that (Trump) would be very bad for the U.S., but Latin America is independent enough ... and for the progressives in Latin American, I think it
... more
Photo: Juan Karita, STR
Trump Team Scrambles for A-List Inaugural Performers: ‘They Are Willing to Pay Anything’ (Exclusive)
Also Read: Sorry Donald Trump: Elton John Is Not Playing Your Inauguration
“I couldn’t do it,” the insider said. “Not even for a billion dollars.”
Trump’s team issued a denial to TheWrap.
“No one with any official position at, or official relationship with, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, is engaging in the conduct described,” said Boris Epshteyn, spokesman for Trump’s Presidential Inaugural Committee. “We are focused on organizing an exciting and uniting celebration of freedom and democracy while following all rules, regulations and appropriate standards of conduct.”
Another insider said the inauguration may already have some high-profile acts booked. The insider said two of his clients and one other high-profile musician have already agreed to perform, though he wouldn’t name them. He added that his clients were not being paid except for transportation and accommodations — which can rise into six-figures amounts for big names.
A third insider, a veteran inaugural organizer, said it is unusual to pay artists for the inauguration, considered a high-profile, high-prestige, patriotic gig.
“I’ve never heard of talent being compensated,” he said. “Nor have I heard of talent recruiters being compensated.”
The organizer told TheWrap that neither Beyonce, who famously performed a rendition of “At Last” during Barack and Michelle Obama’s first dance at the 2009 inaugural ball and the national anthem at the 2013 inauguration, nor Aretha Franklin, who sang at Obama 2009 swearing in ceremony, were paid anything other than production and travel expenses.
“You can add this to the long list of Trump team activities that break from the accepted norms,” said Jenn Topper, a spokeswoman for the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan nonprofit that works on transparency and accountability in government. “Without knowing more specifics about the arrangements, it’s difficult to say whether this would violate ethics laws or rules, but it certainly raises questions.”
Also Read: Kid Rock Launches Pro-Trump T-Shirt Line Calling Blue States 'Dumbf-kistan'
When the first Hollywood insider quoted in this story declined to take part, Trump’s team asked him to reconsider, he said. He was told that the Inaugural Committee was in talks with Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Lee Greenwood and possibly Garth Brooks.
But, according to the insider, the inauguration team is hoping for “artists like Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars,” adding: “They’re calling managers, agents, everyone in town to see who they can get, and it’s been problematic.”
Representatives for Nugent and Greenwood did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment. A representative for Rock declined to comment. Brooks’ publicist said she needed to speak to Brooks and couldn’t comment.
Brooks previously told TMZ he’d be open to performing at Trump’s inauguration if asked, and Brooks has a history with Trump supporter and inaugural organizer Steve Wynn, who in 2009 signed Brooks for a reported multi-million dollar four-year residency at one of his Las Vegas properties.
Also Read: Hollywood Stars for Donald Trump (List)
Hollywood is famously left-leaning, and during the presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton had far more celebrity supporters than Trump.
One of the insiders who spoke to TheWrap, a talent manager, said he doubts there are too many high-caliber performers “who will agree to normalize and service some of the hate groups that have supported Trump,” because they run the risk of intense backlash.
Last month, the New York Times reported that a representative for Elton John, who supported Clinton, issued a stern statement denying his client had agreed to perform at the inauguration after a member of Trump’s transition team said the “Rocket Man” singer would take the stage.
“Incorrect. He will NOT be performing,” the publicist wrote, using all-caps for good measure.
Taxpayers cover the cost of the inaugural swearing-in, security and parade, but the swanky inaugural balls and celebrations that follow are paid for by private donations.
The Times said Trump’s team is “hoping to raise a record $65 million to $75 million by late January to finance several inaugural balls.
Big stars can help sell tickets to donors, which according to the Times can run anywhere from $25,000 to a $1 million.
Now that he’s president, Trump may have an easier time drawing talent than he did at the Republican National Convention, when Scott Baio was one of his biggest celebrity guests.
“He promised the biggest and the best entertainers,” an insider said. “He got Chachi and Antonio Sabato Jr.”
Read original story Trump Team Scrambles for A-List Inaugural Performers: ‘They Are Willing to Pay Anything’ (Exclusive) At TheWrap
