Speed Reads

flashback friday

Remember when Trump paid actors to cheer during his presidential campaign announcement?

On Friday morning, President Trump claimed that the sexual assault survivors who confronted Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) in an elevator were "paid professionals," as are the protesters who continue to oppose Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation. (Predictably, it seems Trump got this wild idea from Fox News.)

While there is no evidence for Trump's claim, there is evidence of Trump hiring paid actors to cheer at his own presidential campaign announcement in 2015, as Daily Beast reporter Scott Bixby helpfully reminded everyone.

Indeed, as The Hollywood Reporter documented, "background actors" were offered $50 if they'd simply "wear T-shirts and carry signs and help cheer [Trump] in support of his announcement."

Trump's Friday tweet also accused Kavanaugh protesters of not making their signs "in the basement from love." As you can clearly see below, Trump's presidential actors did. Kathryn Krawczyk