With Trumpâs inauguration ceremony just over a week away, his team has gone against tradition by firing the man who has been the official presidential inauguration day announcer since Dwight D. Eisenhower was sworn into office.
Charlie Brotman has announced every inauguration parade since 1957, but after six decades, Trumpâs camp contacted him to say that his services would not be needed this year.
Instead, Steve Ray will be the official inaugural announcer when Trump is sworn into office on Jan. 20.
âDevastated is a word that covers it all,â Brotman said in an interview on ŰÎŰ´ŤĂ˝ Channel Thursday. âYes, I was really disappointed, to say the least.â
The 89-year-old said had been preparing for the announcing duties when he received an email that praised him as âMr. Washington.â The email, he says, came with a âHoweverâŚâ
âAnd that is, âYouâre not going to be the announcer this year.ââ
Brotman said he was floored: âIâm asking, âDid I do something? Am I too old? Whatâs going on?ââ
Brotman, who has announced 15 consecutive inaugural parades, for 10 different U.S. presidents, still hasnât received an answer.
However, âone good thing did come outâ of his abrupt firing, Brotman said. A Washington-based TV station has asked him to share his anecdotes, thoughts and experiences from past inauguration parades on air. âI am going to do that on inaugural day.â
And people have expressed a lot of support for Brotman since the firing made headlines.
âIâve never received so many emails, so many voicemails and even letters to the editor in the Washington Post,â he said, adding the response has âbeen overwhelming.â