Scoop: DeSantis dines with Miriam Adelson, other major GOP donors in Israel

Axios ^ | Apr 27, 2023 | Barak Ravid, Sophia Cai

[Zhang Fei]

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dined with Miriam Adelson — former President Trump's top financial backer in 2020 — and other major GOP donors in Jerusalem on Wednesday, according to two sources who attended the dinner.

Why it matters: DeSantis, considered Trump's top rival for the GOP nomination, is expected to announce his presidential exploratory committee in the coming weeks.

Politico reported in October 2022 that Adelson, widow to the late billionaire Sheldon Adelson, told several possible Republican candidates that she plans stay neutral in the 2024 primary.

Representatives for Adelson did not respond to a request for comment. DeSantis' campaign declined to comment.

Driving the news: DeSantis arrived in Israel on Wednesday as part of a four-leg trip that could help the likely presidential candidate boost his foreign policy credentials.

DeSantis met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog before attending a dinner at the Museum of Tolerance, where he was the guest of honor, according to sources in the room.

The dinner was hosted by Larry Mizel, a Denver-based business executive and philanthropist who founded the museum. In 2016, Mizel was the finance chairman for the Trump campaign in Colorado.

Mizel did not respond to Axios' request for comment.

Behind the scenes: DeSantis sat in between Adelson and Mizel during the dinner in Jerusalem, which lasted for about two hours, according to sources in the room.

The Adelsons were early backers of DeSantis when he ran for governor in 2018, contributing at least $500,000 to the Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC.

Sheldon and Miriam Adelson were also Trump’s biggest donors. In the 2020 election, $90 million of the more than $200 million they contributed to Republican groups and candidates went to Trump's presidential campaign.

Trump awarded Miriam Adelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom

[Zhang Fei]

Over the years, the Adelsons have contributed $400m to various GOP causes. If Miriam gives the thumbs-up to DeSantis, he might be set for 2024, money-wise.

[Nifster]

Good thing he’s not the typical money seeking pol

[Guenevere]

I’m so sick of him doing this on our dime!
That’s not why we put him back in office!

[steel_resolve]

Governor matzoball is totally not running for president. Lol what a loser

[wiseprince]

If he wins it will really be these people he owes...not the people. 180 from Trump

[nickcarraway]

Didn’t Adelson donate to Trump?

[mac_truck]

Of course she did, but that was different!

DeSantis continues to impress with his political acumen...

[Zhang Fei]

[If he wins it will really be these people he owes...not the people. 180 from Trump]

---

So Trump’s victory had nothing to do with the hundreds of millions of dollars people like the Adelsons spent on his campaign? For 2020 alone, the Adelsons supported Trump with with $75m to his PAC. That’s more money than Trump spent on his own election.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/sheldon-adelson-funds-trump-super-pac/index.html

Trump dropped the ball in 2020. Will Miriam be back for more in 2024? Or will she choose a different horse? DeSantis certainly hopes she’ll give his campaign a whirl.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

Related threads

DeSantis dines with Miriam Adelson, other GOP megadonors in Jerusalem

Ron DeSantis Tries to Commandeer Trump's Greatest Israel Accomplishment