Donald Trump is rich. Really, really, really rich. We know because he told us. "I’m really rich. I’ll show you that in a second," he said during his presidential announcement on Tuesday, before waving around a copy of his net worth summary like a 4-year-old who just found an extra quarter at ChuckECheese.
That summary is already being called into question. While Trump claims he’s worth about $9 billion, Anand Chokkavelu, managing editor of investment site Motley Fool, told NPR, "I don’t see any reason to take his self-reported net worth at face value."
Still, we do have some indications that the Donald is as wealthy as he claims: he can afford to fill Trump Tower with paid supporters.
Suspicions that Trump’s supporters were not as authentic as they appeared began when activist Angelo Carusone noticed an Instragram photo of his friend, Domenico Del Giacco. The photo shows Del Giacco at Trump Tower, wearing a Trump t-shirt, holding a Trump sign, and standing next to a girl with identical Trump paraphernalia.
Carusone quickly pointed out that Del Giacco is not, in any way, a Trump supporter. Del Giacco is an actor, and the girl by his side was later identified as actress Courtney Klotz.
So yeah, that was a little suspicious, but who knows. Maybe it was just a couple of ironic liberals having a laugh at the Donald’s expense, as many people are prone to do.
But then the Hollywood Reporter dropped the bombshell. The magazine obtained a June 12 email sent by Extra Mile Casting.
"We are looking to cast people for the event to wear t-shirts and carry signs and help cheer him in support of his announcement," the email reads. "We understand this is not a traditional 'background job,' but we believe acting comes in all forms and this is inclusive of that school of thought."
For three hours work, the email promised actors $50.
There’s also this photo:
— Megan Specia (@meganspecia) June 16, 2015
This shouldn’t be all that surprising for a dark horse candidate like Trump. Running the numbers, statistical whiz kid Nate Silver estimates that "The Apprentice" host is viewed unfavorably by 57% of those within his own party, an unfortunate record for a modern presidential candidate.
But when you’ve got Trump’s money, who needs genuine support?
All parties were quick to deny the allegations. Extra Mile told the Hollywood Reporter "We don’t know anything about that," when questioned. Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski also adamantly denied the claims.
"Mr. Trump draws record crowds at almost every venue at which he is a featured speaker," Lewandowski told the Reporter. "The crowds are large, often record-setting and enthusiastic, often with standing ovations. Mr. Trump’s message is 'make America great again.'"
"I think I am a nice person," Trump said on Tuesday after calling Mexican immigrants rapists and drug dealers. "People who know me like me."
But apparently those who know him do not think he’d make a very good president.
