A few weeks back, someone in Trumpland claimed that Elton John was going to perform at Trump’s inauguration. Elton’s people denied that pretty quickly, but it’s left a lingering set of questions in the air. Who will perform at President Orange’s inauguration? Will those artists be blacklisted from the music industry? And how much money would it take for some of the artists to agree to perform for a fascist? Well, there’s some gossip about all of it. The Wrap has an exclusive story about how Trump’s people are trying to get some of the cool kids to perform at the inauguration, only the cool kids are like “nah.”

Donald Trump’s inaugural committee is scrambling to lock in A-list Hollywood performers for the parties celebrating him — and having a rough time booking big names, two insiders tell TheWrap. Both said that Trump inaugural committee members have contacted them in recent days offering cash or even a government appointment if they could deliver marquee names.

“They are willing to pay anything,” one of the insiders told TheWrap. “They told me, ‘We’ll pay their fees.’ Most of these artists’ fees are in the six to seven figures.” The insider said the Trump negotiator also offered to pay him for delivering top talent, saying, “Name your price.”

“I couldn’t do it,” the insider said. “Not even for a billion dollars.”

Trump’s team issued a denial to TheWrap: “No one with any official position at, or official relationship with, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, is engaging in the conduct described,” said Boris Epshteyn, spokesman for Trump’s Presidential Inaugural Committee. “We are focused on organizing an exciting and uniting celebration of freedom and democracy while following all rules, regulations and appropriate standards of conduct.”‎

Another insider said the inauguration may already have some high-profile acts booked. The insider said two of his clients and one other high-profile musician have already agreed to perform, though he wouldn’t name them. He added that his clients were not being paid except for transportation and accommodations — which can rise into six-figures amounts for big names. A third insider, a veteran inaugural organizer, said it is unusual to pay artists for the inauguration, considered a high-profile, high-prestige, patriotic gig.

“I’ve never heard of talent being compensated,” he said. “Nor have I heard of talent recruiters being compensated.”

[From The Wrap]

The Wrap’s exclusive is worth a read in total – they say that Beyonce and Aretha Franklin didn’t get paid for their inaugural performances, but the inauguration committee did pick up their tabs on production and travel, but that’s it. Sources also tell The Wrap that Trump’s people have gone to the more traditional red-state performers and asked them to do the inauguration – people like Kid Rock (NOPE), Ted Nugent (draft-dodging psycho), Len Greenwood and Garth Brooks. It probably will end up being one of the country stars (and here’s a late-breaking confirmation that Garth Brooks is “in talks” for the gig). Maybe Trump’s people should give Blake Shelton a call too, I feel pretty confident that Shelton voted for Trump. Better yet, get Beyonce to do it and then she can “surprise” everyone with the Marine Corps Band’s rendition of “Formation.”

Photos courtesy of WENN.