Donald Trump claims supply and demand are to blame for the surcharge for photos with fans (including selfies), but his political rivals are quick to dismiss the practicing of charging $50 a photo as disingenuous and tacky.
Ted Cruz called Trump’s $50 photo charge, “A disgrace to the political process.
“We aren’t in this for charging money. If someone wants to donate to your campaign, fine. But that is because they believe in you as a politician. Trump is in it as a business man. I don’t understand what anyone could possibly see in the guy.”
Senator Marco Rubio agreed with Cruz and Jeb Bush said, “I’ve never seen anything like it before. If they want a photo, give them a photo. Don’t charge money for it. My mom called him a ‘money-grubbing whore.’ She’s in her nineties and can still give a good tongue lashing.”
Trump said the $50 fee per picture allowed him to maximize the amount of pictures taken and with the right people. “If they are willing to spend fifty bucks for a picture with me, first, it’s probably undervalued. I could charge one hundred, maybe two hundred dollars. Second, if they spend the money, I bet they will show up to vote for me. it only makes sense to optimize my time and the time of my true fans.
“That picture will be worth a thousand dollars in ten years, so it’s actually a great investment, a smart investment, and the efficient way for me to take photos. End of story.”
