Donald Trump is planning to have some hot, relevant celebrities appear at his Republican National Convention—but he’s already had to take back one of the names that was being reported. Tuesday evening, Bloomberg reported that:
Donald Trump’s campaign aides are lining up a slate of iconic sports figures to appear at the convention in Cleveland next month—including former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, former Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight, and NASCAR chief Brian France, people familiar with the planning told Bloomberg Politics.
Talks are in the works with a broad slate of other celebrities and top athletes, so the list of those appearing at the convention will grow, organizers said.
But much of Trump’s current list of sports champs seems to be more targeted at male voters age 45 and older, rather than minority and female voters.
Hmm. Mike Tyson, you say? Convicted rapist Mike Tyson? Maybe not:
After Tyson’s conviction, Trump insisted the boxer had been “railroaded,” and just this spring, Trump was bragging about Tyson’s endorsement:
"Mike Tyson endorsed me," he said at a campaign rally in Indianapolis. "I love it. He sent out a tweet. Mike. Iron Mike. You know, all the tough guys endorse me. I like that, OK?”
But I’m sure it’s just the media making stuff up to suggest that Trump wanted Tyson to appear at the RNC. No doubt.