The company that produces paid rallies and events featuring appearances by Donald Trump reportedly hasn’t paid speakers, vendors and employees, according to the Washington Post, adding another victim to the “Everything Trump Touches Dies” roster.
The American Freedom Tour has canceled most upcoming paid events featuring Donald Trump because it’s been unable to secure venues and speakers are backing out of commitments because they haven’t been paid. Some of the other speakers at the shows have been Candace Owens and screech owl Kimberly Giulfoyle.
Two top executives have left AFT, a Florida-based company that entered into an agreement with Trump to produce events after he left the White House. According to sources, Trump made sure he got paid first so he is not at risk, but other speakers have not gotten checks for appearances.
AFT’s CEO Brian Forte, whose LinkedIn profile blurb states “Agent, Author, Senior Consultant, Financial Services and Customer Monetization” and lists his position as CEO of GetMotivated.com but doesn’t list AFT, has a history of bankruptcy filings. He filed his fifth personal bankruptcy, reporting that he made $19,900 per month from AFT–of which he owned 100%–but he had more than $3 million in debts.
The business plan for the company reflects Republican governance techniques: it was essentially a pay-for-access to get meet Trump, with tickets going from $55 to thousands, depending on the event and the level of access. The company appears to be pivoting from hosting events in cities across the nation to concentrating on bilking Trump’s Florida lackeys by hosting events exclusively at Trump’s Palm Beach properties, with Trump undoubtedly making a significant amount on venue rental fees.
One upcoming event, to be held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago supper club and Elderhostel during the holiday season, has tickets starting at $10,000 per couple, which includes an opportunity to meet Trump. Prices go up from there: Dinner and a photo with Trump cost $40,000, while patrons were told to contact the company if they wanted to have a private reception with Trump in his library. The invite didn’t mention if Trump would show them the classified documents he was storing at the club.