On top of the $225,000 she is charging the UNLV Foundation to speak at an event in October, former first lady Hillary Clinton is requiring an additional $1,250 to pay for a stenographer to transcribe her speech and may request a teleprompter if she so chooses.
Those stipulations and others, including restrictions on the press, are included in a contract obtained by The Daily Caller between the university and the Harry Walker Agency, which is handling Clinton’s speaking tour.
Clinton has come under fire recently for some of her speeches, particularly those she has given to colleges and universities. Though most of her speaking fees have gone to her family’s non-profit foundation, the former first lady has been criticized for gouging the schools.
And the contract for the Oct. 13 speech for the UNLV Foundation — which will be held at the Bellagio in Las Vegas — shows that on top of that, she is picky.
“The Sponsor agrees to pay a fee of $1,250 for the services of a stenographer, who will be onsite at the event,” reads the contract, signed on May 13. “The stenographer will transcribe Speaker’s remarks as they are being delivered, which shall be solely for the Speaker’s records.”
Clinton’s speech and a moderated question-and-answer session will last 60 minutes total.
As part of the contract, two event staffers will be dispatched three days in advance of the speech.
The contract also gives the agency and Clinton final approval of the event program, all advertisements contained in it, and all additional event sponsors. Clinton will also be given final approval over who gets to introduce her to the crowd.
“It is agreed that [Clinton] will be the only person on stage during her remarks. The Speaker may request that Sponsor pay for an provide a glass panel teleprompter and a qualified operator,” the contract reads.
Clinton will also be given final approval of a moderator used in the question-and-answer session. Audience questions must also be relayed to Clinton through the approved moderator, according to the contract. Whether or not that is meant to buffer any difficult questions is unclear. The UNLV Foundation told TheDC that it could not comment on the arrangements as they were still being finalized.
Clinton also agreed to a 30-minute photoline, which will take place before her remarks. But strict rules apply to it as well.
It is “not to exceed 50 photos with up to 100 people,” the contract reads.
“It is understood and agreed that the photographer will take one (1) photo of each person or couple participating in the photoline. It is understood and agreed that the Sponsor will provide each of the photoline attendees with a copy of the photo to their personal use only. The Sponsor is also required to communicate to the photoline attendees that the photo is for private, personal use only and that the photo cannot be used in any way to imply any kind of endorsement of an entity, individual, product or service. Any use of the photo that suggests or implies any such endorsement is forbidden.”
Clinton’s press agency will also maintain strict control over the event’s optics.
It has sole discretion over any “sets, backdrops, banners, scenery, logos, settings, etc which are in any way related to her speech or any other activities associated with the Speaker’s appearance,” the contract reads, opening up the likelihood that Clinton’s latest book, “Hard Choices,” could be featured prominently at the event.
“Speaker’s participation at the event including the speech and reception will be closed to the press, unless otherwise agreed to in writing,” the contract stipulates. “There will be no other media opportunities or availabilities (i.e.. press conferences, statements. etc.).”
The contract also requires the event sponsor to reserve 20 seats for Clinton’s staff and guests. “These seats should all be together in the priority seating area,” the contract reads. Should those guests pose for pictures with Clinton, they will not count against the 50 photographs allowed for event attendees.
The Washington Post published details of a similar contract between Clinton and Buffalo University on Wednesday. Clinton is charging the school $275,000 for that event.
In both events, Clinton’s speaking fee will go to the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.
