[hooande]

Fame has a direct financial value. Any US president is among the most famous and well known people on earth.

trump will make more money from speaking appearances than he did from any of his businesses over the last several decades

[swarnie_]

This is what I've never understood about post presentient lives.

People like Trump and Bush can barely deliver a speech or speak coherently, who is paying to hear them attempt it??

[esja]

Difficult to prove, but many believe these sorts of payments are often a delayed bribe, for services rendered while in office. Look after us while you’re in power and we’ll look after you later. And other politicians watching this will notice, and will behave properly while they are in power as well.

[missedthecue]

On trump, I agree, but Bush? Didn't you see Bush's eulogy for his father? He is a skilled public speaker, in spite of his infamous gaffes.

[swarnie_]

I'll be honest i did not...

He hasn't had much air time over here since leaving office, my opinion of him is all drawn from 2000-2008.

[drcross]

People who want to say to their friends that they were in the same room as those people. It's social capital.

[hooande]

Corporate speeches are like Cameo for really rich people. People will pay for a personal message / attention from a celebrity. It doesn't matter what they say

[rtx]

Same people buying his paintings.