Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bartender Behind The Romney 47% Video Gives First Interview, Says He Isn't A Democrat
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 14, 2013
Modified Mar 14, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 14, 2013
Modified Mar 14, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The man who videotaped Mitt Romney explaining that half of Americans are lazy bums just looking for a handout is finally getting his fifteen minutes of fame. Scott Prouty, 38, was bartending that fateful night last May when Romney made the remarks at a $50,000-a-plate fundraiser in Boca Raton, Florida. In an interview with MSNBC last night, Prouty explained that he didn't have a political axe to grind, and isn't even a Democrat. (He says he's registered as Independent.) And he struggled with his decision to release the video. He tells Ed Schultz:
You shouldn't have to afford $50,000 to hear what the candidate actually thinks... I had gone back and forth and said, "I have a pretty comfortable life. I struggle like everyone else. Why am I gonna do this? Why am I gonna risk everything? Should I put myself in legal jeopardy?" I woke up in the middle of the night... and walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, and the word "Coward... You're a coward," just came out of my mouth.
Months after the fundraiser, Prouty gave the full video to Mother Jones reporter David Corn, who agreed to keep him anonymous. Prouty was concerned about losing his job and even possible legal repercussions. (This hasn't happened, but the fundraiser's host, a billionaire private equities trader named Marc Leder, had threatened to sue.) "I didn’t go there with a grudge against Romney,” Prouty, who is originally from Boston, said. “I really had no idea he would say what he said.”
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
After the video went viral, reporters around the world were desperate to interview Prouty, but he kept out of the spotlight because, he says, he didn't want the focus to shift to him. But now that the election is far behind us, he's finally talking about that one time he documented a politician giving a speech. It's unclear what the future holds for the man who once jumped into crocodile-infested waters to save an unconscious woman who had crashed her car into a canal. He says he expects “to be torn apart by the right-wing media" but you've got to wonder whether anyone really gives a shit at this point.
Tagged
Politics
scott prouty
mitt romney
47% video
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A NYC judge brought his gun into court for an ‘experiment’. Now he’s censured.
The state commission on judicial conduct said Judge Jeffrey A. Gershuny “acknowledged that his conduct was improper,” and added that he was “apologetic and cooperative.”
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. ET
The Bronx is getting a new casino and a reimagined Ferry Point Park, too
Here's a look at designs for a redeveloped park, including new amenities, landscaping and other improvements.
By
Willow Higgins
News
The Bronx is getting a new casino and a reimagined Ferry Point Park, too
Here's a look at designs for a redeveloped park, including new amenities, landscaping and other improvements.
By
Willow Higgins
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
By
Jon Campbell
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .