Frank Sinatra told Donald Trump to “go f*** himself”, new book reveals
Former manager describes legendary singer’s reaction at being told his costs were excessive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Frank Sinatra told Donald Trump to “go f*** himself” after the now-President took issue with the singer’s financial demands, a new book has claimed.
Old Blue Eyes was due to perform at the opening of Mr Trump’s Atlantic City casino in 1990 when the magnate was said to have told him his costs were “a little rich”. On hearing the news, Sinatra gave his manager Elliot Weisman - who has written the new book - two options, either to pass his message to Mr Trump or give him his number and he would do it himself.
According to Weisman’s book, Mr Trump also cut the support acts including Sinatra’s dying friend Sammy Davis Jr.
Weisman managed Sinatra from 1975 to 1998 and recounted the incident in his book The Way it Was, released this month. He said Sinatra was due to perform at the opening of Mr Trump’s Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City and had a deal in place with the new venues original operator Mark Grossinger Etess, who died in a helicopter crash.
The businessman then stepped in to take over the deal which is when he questioned how much Sinatra expected to be paid for his 12 performances. According to Weisman, Mr Trump began the new negotiations by saying the cost for the 12 dates Sinatra was slated to perform was “a little rich”
Mr Trump then also decided he did not need to book the other acts included including Sammy Davis Jr, who had just been diagnosed with cancer, and husband-and-wife pop duo Steve and Eydie. When challenged by Weisman, Mr Trump asked “Who’s Steve and Eydie?”. Weisman says he then tried choking the future president by his tie, but that his son restrained him.
He said he then called Sinatra to tell him what had happened, and singer told him he had two choices; either tell Mr Trump “to go f*** himself” or give the reality show star’s phone number to Sinatra so that he could do it himself.
Weisman says he returned to Trump’s office and told him “Sinatra says go f*** yourself!” Sinatra ended up playing at the Sands in Las Vegas instead.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments