GigSalad’s Trump Cards: Business Bump for Candidate Impersonators Points to Grassroots Market for Sillier Side of Election

What Donald Trump, presidential candidate, means for America is up for debate. What it means for entertainers parodying his tell-tale ways? That’s crystal clear.

Trump impersonators are getting all the best gigs, says GigSalad, the premier online marketplace for performers and event planners. “We’ve gotten requests in the thousands for Trump impersonators,” says Tessie Barnett of GigSalad. Just imagine: With a few clicks, you can have a Trump-alike come and mingle poolside with your friends, give a cheeky stump speech, or jump out of your birthday cake. The possibilities are endless.

Americans have long loved finding a lighter, party-friendly side to the democratic process, from the satirical counter-elections of disenfranchised African Americans dating back to the 18th century, to election evening get-togethers to watch the votes come in (and maybe kick back a few drinks, depending on the results).

The widespread interest in having an in-the-flesh representation of your favorite (or least favorite) candidate is something new, however. “I founded GigSalad because I saw there was a huge potential market for certain kinds of talent,” notes GigSalad CEO Mark Steiner. “I saw all these great performers, who just needed to connect with people planning parties, events, and other happenings.” GigSalad allows that to happen, and it’s helping grow a very grassroots market for live entertainment.

The market for political look-alikes is a great example. It’s professional, yet flies below the radar of bigger agencies or entertainment tracking services like Pollstar. But it’s a thriving, expanding business. In the case of Trump, a dozen entertainers have hung out their shingles, ready to rock. Overall, more than 6,000 performers were booked via GigSalad’s system in the last three months (April, May, and June) of this year, with many more making arrangements outside the platform.

Technology and the internet have enabled this shift. “It’s gotten way easier to find someone to come play that part, and do it well, at your event,” Barnett remarks. All it takes is a simple search, a few clicks, and you can book the local Trump of your dreams, for a very reasonable fee. Thanks to GigSalad, ordering a Trump is about as easy as ordering a ride, booking a plane ticket, or finding a vacation cabin.

Though Hilary and Bernie are also in demand, no one can touch The Donald. “It’s no surprise,” Barnett muses. “He’s new to the political scene. And he’s got a very distinctive, unexpected style that’s hard to forget and fun to imitate.”

About GigSalad:

GigSalad is the largest and most diverse marketplace for booking bands, performers, speakers and services for events, parties, and productions of all types and sizes. With millions of users across the U.S. and Canada, GigSalad connects over a million event and party planners with over 80,000 professionals for hire, making it simple to search and book great talent.