It's SOP in DC to donate to people that you might need access to in order to protect your business interests. I am an admirer of Levin but he is wrong about this.
Yes, I'm aware that it's a common practice, and in state capitals and city halls as well. The major reason why is because government is so darn huge that it can pick winners and losers in what was once called the private sector, and leftists especially delight in doing so.
Nonetheless, not everyone who has business interests is corruptible, and a guy who wants to be a President should be able to have solid principles and put them into practice. And when you reach the kind of wealth Trump has, it's easier to do the right thing.
Sorry, in my book, contributing to 'Rat politicians (other than in very extraordinary circumstances) is an absolute no-no for a Republican presidential wannabe.