For nearly 60 years, Charlie Brotman has been the voice of the presidential inauguration.
But Brotman was devastated when the inauguration committee for President-elect Donald Trump emailed him to say he won't be announcing the upcoming inaugural parade.
"I was disappointed because I thought I would be the announcer," Brotman said in an interview with CNN. "And then when I read the email, I thought I was going to commit suicide. It was really terrible."
The living legend has announced at every inauguration parade since President Dwight Eisenhower's second term in the 1950s. He was looking forward to announcing for Trump.
"I've got friends and family expecting me to do this and I want to do this," Brotman, 89, told NBC Washington.
The Presidential Inauguration Committee sent him an email Wednesday saying it had selected a new announcer.
"There is no question that you are a Washington institution and a national treasure," the Trump inauguration committee email said. "We would like you to come and be a part of the parade as announcer chairman emeritus. We will give you a prime time seat and pay the respect to you that is due to you."
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After receiving the message, Brotman was stunned.
"I picked up a telephone and said, 'Is this email correct?' and they said, 'Yes, sir,'" he said.
Steve Ray, a well-known announcer in the D.C. area who was a Trump campaign volunteer, will announce at the inauguration parade. Ray said he respects Brotman.
"I hope he comes to this parade and accepts the presidential announcer chairman emeritus position graciously," Ray said. "I know the inauguration committee is going to do the right thing."
Brotman said he's not sure if he will attend the parade.
"I'm considering it," he said.
