It sure seems like the company that organized a lucrative series of post-White House paid speeches for Donald Trump has much in common with the former President. The founder and owner, like the ex-President, has a history of bankruptcy filings and recently sought bankruptcy protection again.
The American Freedom Tour company is struggling to pay its bills, including with vendors, investors, and employees, prompting anger from Trump allies.
Via The Washington Post:
The American Freedom Tour started last October, staging glitzy events around the country that resemble Trump rallies but sell tickets ranging from $55 to more than $4,000. In addition to Trump, the shows featured right-wing celebrities such as Candace Owens and Kimberly Guilfoyle, as well as motivational speakers offering personal finance courses.
Essentially, it was a place where Trump supporters could buy a chance to see him and other conservative luminaries — or pay more for special access — with the money not going to a political campaign, but a for-profit company and Trump himself. It was founded by Forte, a motivational-speaker promoter with a long trail of bankruptcy filings and business disputes across the country.
The tour has had a slate of problems, including angry investors, speakers and vendors who have not been paid, according to people familiar with the situation, who like some others spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal internal details.
According to the outlet, some unpaid investors are preparing possible legal action, demanding full payment plus interest.
"Vendors, speakers, and other unpaid participants are lining up to collect," a lawyer working for the investors said.
Several speakers other than the twice-impeached one-term President have not been paid, including prominent Trump allies, a person with direct knowledge of the tour's finances told the Post.
I'm not sure which is funnier: A grifter is getting grifted or that these people thought they'd get paid. It's a toss-up. And I can't believe that people pay to hear Bloaty McBatshit air his long list of grievances.
