Posted on: July 2, 2024, 02:30h.
Last updated on: July 2, 2024, 02:30h.
Dr. Miriam Adelson, the largest shareholder of Las Vegas Sands with a 46% ownership position, is opening up her deep pocketbook to support her longtime friend Donald Trump in his presidential reelection bid.
Newly disclosed campaign finance data from the Federal Election Commission confirm reports in late May that suggested Adelson would again support the 45th president in November. Adelson at the time revealed she’ll bankroll Preserve America, the conservative super political action committee (PAC) that her late husband financed during the 2020 election.
Finance records recently made available for May reveal Adelson is first opening her checkbook for an array of Republican PACs.
Adelson GOP Spending
Adelson gave $413,000 through four donations dated May 3 to the Republican National Committee.
The money was earmarked for the RNC’s Trump 47 Committee. Adelson listed Las Vegas Sands as her employer, with her title being director of community involvement.
On May 3, the billionaire, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be around $28.8 billion, also made three contributions to the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). The committee is committed to taking back the upper chamber of Congress.
Adelson gave the NRSC $289,100, with all of the funds earmarked for the Pete Ricketts Victory Fund. Ricketts is the Republican U.S. junior senator from Nebraska.
Ricketts is facing a special election to retain his seat against Democratic candidate Preston Love, Jr. Ricketts was appointed to the Senate seat by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen on Jan. 12, 2023, following the resignation of Ben Sasse who stepped down to become the president of the University of Florida.
Ricketts is a vocal supporter of the U.S.-Israel alliance, a matter that is most important to Adelson.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) received the same amount of Adelson cash as did the NRSC — $289,100. The committee focused on defending the GOP majority in the lower congressional chamber is freer to spend the cash how it wishes, as the Adelson donations were earmarked for the committee’s “Legal Proceedings Account” and “Headquarters Account.”
On the NRSC donations, Adelson reported being self-employed as a physician. For the NRCC contributions, she listed the Adelson Clinic as her employer and her occupation as a physician.
Trump Money
Trump’s other friends who remain in the casino industry are also pouring in cash for his November run, a campaign that picked up much momentum following President Joe Biden’s dismal debate performance.
Billionaire Phil Ruffin, who owns Treasure Island, Circus Circus, and 50% of Trump International on the Las Vegas Strip, in March gave $814,600 to Trump 47 Committee, Inc. That same month, he contributed $413,000 to the RNC’s Trump 47 Committee.
Golden Nugget billionaire Tilman Fertitta wrote the RNC a check for $206,500 in April.
Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, whose private equity firm owns Crown Resorts in Australia and several casinos in Las Vegas, including the Bellagio, Aria, and The Cosmopolitan, said in May that he too will support Trump this year. Schwarzman has not yet made any major 2024 donations to the Trump campaign but is expected to soon.
UK bookmakers where political betting is allowed have Trump the heavy favorite at -175 to win the November presidential election. A winning $100 bet on that line would pay out $157.14.
Biden is the underdog at +350. A $100 upset would pay out $450. California Gov. Gavin Newsom — Biden’s potential replacement — is next at +1400.
