By Alexandra Ulmer
(Reuters) – In a highly anticipated meeting, Miriam Adelson, a casino billionaire and influential Republican donor, met with 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley in Las Vegas over the weekend, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
This previously undisclosed meeting took place during a gathering of Republican Jewish donors, and it is seen as a positive development for Haley due to Adelson’s prominent position as one of the leading Republican donors.
Adelson, who was born in Israel, also had a meeting with former President Donald Trump in Las Vegas during the same weekend. She and her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, were strong supporters of Trump during the 2020 election.
In recent state polls, Haley has emerged as a strong contender, either tying or surpassing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as they compete to become the top alternative to Trump. However, Trump remains the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential race.
While Adelson is expected to remain neutral in the Republican primary contest, which begins on January 15 in Iowa, she is likely to provide financial support to the party’s nominee for the general election against Democratic President Joe Biden.
The extent of Adelson’s meetings with other presidential candidates, if any, is currently unknown.
When asked about a potential meeting between Adelson and DeSantis in Las Vegas, a spokesperson for DeSantis’ campaign stated that they have been “friends” for a long time and there have been no changes in their relationship. The spokesperson emphasized the campaign’s respect for Adelson’s commitment to remaining neutral during the primary.
Haley’s team declined to comment on the meeting. A request for comment from Adelson’s spokesperson has not been responded to at this time.
With a net worth of approximately $31.7 billion, Forbes ranks Adelson and her family as the 40th richest in the world. In the 2020 U.S. election cycle, the Adelsons contributed over $218 million to Republican and conservative causes, making them one of the highest political spenders, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The Adelsons are renowned for their philanthropic activities, business ventures in Israel, and donations to Jewish causes. Sheldon Adelson, who passed away in 2021, was the head of the casino company Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer, edited by Ross Colvin and Rod Nickel
