Inaugural parade announcer says he didn’t buy his way in

Steve Ray, the inauguration committee’s choice to announce the parade on Jan. 20, following Donald Trump’s swearing-in, said there is no friction between him and the previous announcer. 

Controversy has surrounded the pick since news broke that Charlie Brotman, who has announced all the presidential inauguration parades since 1957, was being replaced. 

But Ray told  CNN’s Carol Costello Monday that “there really isn’t the type of friction that’s being portrayed by some fringe outlets on this.”

“I absolutely adore and respect Charlie Brotman. He is an icon here in D.C.,” Ray added. 

Brotman said earlier this month that he was “destroyed” when he learned via email that he would not be the announcer for the upcoming event, but had instead been named “Announcer Chairman Emeritus.”

Ray said he sees Brotman as an icon and wants to honor him during the inaugural parade by having him stand up in front of the crowd.

He also defended his involvement.

“A lot of people are saying I bought my way into this election,” he said. “It wasn’t something that I went after dramatically. It was being in the right place at the right time in front of the right people,” he said.