At least two of the quasi-celebrities Donald Trump was rumored to have invited to appear at the Republican National Convention have shrugged off reports that they’ll attend.
Bloomberg News, citing “people familiar with the planning,” reported Tuesday that the Trump campaign had been looking to book several athletes and celebrities to appear at the GOP convention next month in Cleveland. Among the names Bloomberg reported were heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka.
“No one’s ever talked to me about it. I have no idea where it’s coming from,” Ditka told The Chicago Tribune, adding that he would give a speech if Trump asked him to.
A representative for Tyson told the Washington Post that the former boxer hadn’t spoken to Trump, adding “I don’t think he was invited at all.”
The rumors seemed to gain momentum after Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, said in a radio interview Wednesday that the convention wouldn’t have “a ho-hum lineup of, you know, the typical politicians” and would include coaches and athletes.
h/t: Slate
So much for a swell evening of empty chair abuse.
Trump has said he planned to invite sports stars to the convention in place of the usual lineup of pols — presumably, they make for better TV.
Convention-goers can content themselves with other aging sports legends, including retired college basketball coach Bobby Knight and retired NFL coach Mike Ditka. And for entertainment at some of the ancillary events surrounding the official confab, look for Journey, the Beach Boys, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry and Poison frontman Bret Michaels, Bloomberg reports. Other bands slated to perform at events in Cleveland include Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/06/29/rnc-confusion-boxing-champ-mike-tyson-reportedly-to-appear-but-donald-trump-says-he-wont-speak/
Clint Eastwood: No worries, I will be there all day, every day.
Trump: We promised him a Golden Chair.
I’m inviting Julia Roberts to my local Neighborhood Soiree but I don’t know if she’ll attend. People familiar with the planning are talking about it though.
That’s because he couldn’t get any politicians and instead had to look to has been athletes, most suffering from brain injuries.