Donald Trump denies 'paying actors' to cheer at announcement of Republican presidential bid

US tycoon announced his bid earlier this week

Rose Troup Buchanan

Thursday 18 June 2015 18:17 BST

(AP Images)

Republican hopeful and billionaire Donald Trump has denied paying actors $50 to cheer as he announced his bid for president.

The 69-year-old controversial US tycoon announced his bid earlier this week.

Sliding down a banister, accompanied by Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” Trump was greeted by a number of cheering supporters – but reportedly they weren’t exactly fans.

A 12 June casting letter allegedly asked for people, wearing campaign t-shirts and carrying signs (some of which were later photographed in a bin after the event), to “help cheer” Trump’s announcement.

“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,” the email from Extra Mile NYC casting went on to claim, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The call, which listed payment as "$50 CASH at the end of the event”, was made in conjunction with Gotham Government Relations and Communications, a US political consultancy firm based in New York.

Suspicions were first raised after anti-Trump activist Angelo Carusone claimed to have spotted two known paid actors at the event in a (now deleted) Instagram post.

Republican presidential nominations

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1/9Republican presidential nominations

Republican presidential nominations

Jeb Bush

Who he is: Brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H. W. Bush, Mr Bush has formed a Political Action Committee and is exploring a presidential bid. He was the governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. The issues: Mr Bush has indicated that his campaign would focus on the economy, foreign policy and energy. He is also known as a proponent of education reform.

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Republican presidential nominations

Marco Rubio

Who he is: Mr Rubio is a US senator from Florida who has served since 2011. He is an early favourite to receive heavy donations from ultra-rich donors the Koch brothers. The issues: Mr Rubio has said the biggest issue facing the US in the near future is foreign policy and dealing with threats from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

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Republican presidential nominations

Ben Carson

Who he is: Dr Carson is a retired neurosurgeon, who became one of the most prominent physicians in the US. He has no political experience, but has formed a PAC to consider a run for president. The issues: A big proponent of smaller government, Dr Carson holds a tough stance on illegal immigration and is staunchly opposed to government involvement in health care.

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Republican presidential nominations

Ted Cruz

Who he is: Mr Cruz has served as a US senator from Texas since 2013 and previously was the solicitor general of the state from 2003 to 2008. The issues: Mr Cruz is strongly against illegal immigration and figures to offer a presidential campaign heavy on foreign policy. He supports tough sanctions on both Russia and Iran.

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Republican presidential nominations

Carly Fiorina

Who she is: Ms Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and a former executive at AT&T. She also was a 2010 nominee from California for the US Senate. The issues: Ms Fiorina, should she run, will campaign as a pro-business candidate whose background as chief executive of a major company proves she can handle the US economy.

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Republican presidential nominations

Mike Huckabee

Who he is: Mr Huckabee was the governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and ran for president in 2008. An ordained Baptist minister, he also hosted a talk show on Fox News until early this month. The issues: Mr Huckabee supports tax reform and often touts the FairTax, which would eliminate income and payroll taxes in favour of a uniform sales tax.

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Republican presidential nominations

Rand Paul

Who he is: Mr Paul has served as a US senator from Kentucky since 2011. He is a libertarian and son of former US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. The issues: Mr Paul supports balanced spending by the government, unlike some of his peers in the Republican Party who oppose most government spending. He has been called an isolationist by some political pundits.

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Republican presidential nominations

Scott Walker - OUT

Who he is: Mr Walker has served as the governor of Wisconsin since 2011 and has long been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. Mr Walker this week launched a PAC to prepare for a presidential run. The issues: Mr Walker opposes compromise with Democrats on key issues and would encourage increasing the fight against Isis.

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Republican presidential nominations

Rick Perry - OUT

Who he is: Mr Paul has served as a US senator from Kentucky since 2011. He is a libertarian and son of former US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. The issues: Mr Paul supports balanced spending by the government, unlike some of his peers in the Republican Party who oppose most government spending. He has been called an isolationist by some political pundits.

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Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski flatly denied the claims.

"Mr. Trump draws record crowds at almost every venue at which he is a featured speaker," he told The Hollywood Report.

Lewandowski, who claimed he had never heard of Extra Mile NYC casting agency, added that the crowds at Trump’s speaking were “often record-setting and enthusiastic”.

Extra Mile NYC did not return request for comment.

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