Dr. Miriam Adelson, Owner of Las Vegas Sands, Played Key Role in Funding Republican Convention

Dr. Miriam Adelson, the controlling shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, played a significant role in supporting the Republican Party’s 2024 Convention in Milwaukee.

Adelson, 78, has seen her wealth increase recently as Sands’ stock surged following news that China would issue cash payments to citizens to boost its economy. On a single day, Sands’ stock rose over 1%, adding $236 million to Adelson’s fortune, bringing her net worth back up to over $35 billion.

Newly disclosed campaign finance records show that Adelson contributed $3 million to help fund the July Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump accepted the party’s presidential nomination for the third time. Federal Election Commission records reveal that Adelson made two donations—$1 million and $2 million—to the 170 Freedom Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee, Inc.

With only a month left before the November 5 election, Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are neck-and-neck, with polls and betting odds suggesting a close race for the presidency.

Convention Contributions

Several other entities from the gaming industry also supported the 2024 Republican Convention. DraftKings and FanDuel each contributed $500K, while Hard Rock International, partnered with the Ho-Chunk Nation on a casino project in Kenosha, donated $250K. Blackstone, the private equity firm that owns real estate in Las Vegas, including the Bellagio and Cosmopolitan, contributed $750K.

The gaming industry’s top figures, including Adelson, tend to back Republicans. Other notable casino billionaires supporting the GOP include Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, and Phil Ruffin. On the Democratic side, Neil Bluhm, founder of Rush Street Gaming, contributed $371,700 to their Chicago convention in August.

Support for Trump and Harris

In addition to her convention contributions, Adelson donated $5 million in May to Preserve America, a super PAC dedicated to Trump’s re-election, and $844,600 to the Trump 47 Committee. Adelson is expected to be one of Trump’s largest financial supporters again.

Other major donors for Trump include Tilman Fertitta, who contributed $814,600, Phil Ruffin, who donated $2 million to the Make America Great PAC, and Steve Wynn, who gave $806,300.

On the Democratic side, Neil Bluhm contributed $929,600 to Harris’s campaign, while MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle and his wife Wendy donated around $20,000 to support her.