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Anthony Weiner Reportedly Paid Actors To Pose As Supporters

Lauren Evans

Published Aug 28, 2013

Modified Aug 28, 2013

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Lauren Evans

Published Aug 28, 2013

Modified Aug 28, 2013

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With 80 percent of New Yorkers generally repulsed by the idea of Anthony Weiner as the next mayor, his campaign allegedly decided it was time to bring in some paid actors to pose as supporters, because things just haven't gotten weird enough yet.

According to the Post, several of Weiner's supporters that appeared at functions like the Dominican Day Parade were actually employees of a LA-based company called "Crowds On Demand," which does exactly what the name implies. Actors were paid $15 an hour to fawn over Weiner, pretending to be supporters or "people who met him and became supporters as a result of that encounter,” the tabloid reports.

Of course, the Weiner campaign denied any knowledge of any of this Crowds on Demand business, with spokeswoman Barbara Morgan insisting the zealous fans are just zealous fans, not paid actors. “We are proud we’ve always had the biggest and most fired-up crowds," she said, incorrectly. That’s enthusiasm the other campaigns just can’t buy.”

Whatever. Crowds on Demand boasts a fascinating website, with the banner image depicting a smiling man surrounded by throngs of wild-eyed women, one of whom is holding a sign that says "Never Die." In addition to "political manpower," Crowds on Demand offer friendless, vanity-bloated individuals the chance to experience "Celebrity Shopping," in which "fans" and "paparazzi" will celebrate your arrival at various stores with strangled screams, and "It's All About ME Day," the description of which is too noxious not to share:

Are you feeling under-appreciated at work? If you don’t think your superiors (or subordinates) are giving you the respect you deserve, then hire our crowds to stage a demonstration outside your office. We can either cheer for how great you are or can help you protest. Your co-workers will be at a loss for words. This is also a great gift to an employee who has gone above and beyond.

Weiner is also accused of using interns to pose as "regular New Yorkers" in his ads, but that seems less misleading. Interns are theoretically supporters, right? They certainly got the short end of the stick, though—at least the actors get paid.

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anthony weiner

Lauren Evans

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