A top fashion model once remarked that she never gets out of bed in the morning for less that £10,000. American entrepreneur Donald Trump has gone one better, requiring a minimum of £50,000 to open his mouth in public.
Trump, of Trump Tower and trophy wife fame, requested and will receive more than £50,000, plus first class expenses for two, to fly to Australia next year to deliver a 45 minute keynote address to a business conference.
The fee sets a new record for the personality speaker circuit of ex-presidents and other "motivational" speakers, such as retired US General Colin Powell, thought to receive around £35,000 per appearance. The seminar has as its theme "Ingredients of Success". Clearly one of the ingredients is to be valued at over £1,000 a minute to dispense words of wisdom to any wannabe movers and shakers willing to pay for the privilege.