Local casino operators Sheldon and Miriam Adelson and Steve Wynn will join Las Vegas casino billionaire Phil Ruffin on President-elect Donald Trump’s Presidential Inaugural Committee, as announced on Trump’s official website on Tuesday. The committee is charged with the ‘planning and co-ordination of all official events and activities surrounding the inauguration’ of both Trump and future Vice-president Mike Pence.
The committee is to be chaired by equity real estate investor Thomas J. Barrack Jr., who served in the U.S. Department of the Interior as Deputy Secretary during the administration and currently acts as an economic and national security advisor to Trump.
Steve Wynn had previously announced his decision to not back Trump’s campaign for the presidency during a trip to Macau earlier this year for the opening of the US$4.2 billion (MOP33.6 billion) Wynn Palace in Cotai, telling the Financial Times “I’m craving a more substantial conversation, politically and publicly, about the economy of the US and what it really takes to make a better life for its citizens.”
Wynn is a long-time friend and business rival of Trump’s, with Trump even mentioning him in a February rally as an advisor.
“I’m a friend of Donald and if he asks me questions, I answer them,” Wynn told the publication, noting that “I’m friendly with Bill and Hillary Clinton and I have to say the same thing about them. I’ve contributed to neither campaign.”
Sheldon Adelson had previously announced the possibility during Trump’s campaign of contributing up to US$100 million to pro-Trump groups, ending up splitting a US$40 million donation in two – going to super PACs backing Republican congressional candidates, notes the New York Times.
Long list of the super rich
Trump’s list of Finance Vice Chairs includes two former United States ambassadors: Ambassador Mel Sembler and Ambassador Ron Weiser. Sembler is a shopping centre developer and Weiser is the founder of real estate investment company McKinley Associates Inc.
Also included is Brian Ballard, who formerly backed Jeb Bush’s run for presidency until Bush’s comments against Senator Marco Rubio, after donating US$20,000 to a pro-Bush super PAC, notes NBC.
Also included is co-founder and Chairman of ABC Supply, the self-proclaimed ‘largest wholesale distributor’ of roofing and house products, Diane Hendricks – who’s self-made worth is estimated by Forbes at US$4 billion and is number 1 on Forbes’ list of America’s self-made women. In addition, joining Trump’s committee is New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Regarding future appointments Trump’s website notes that ‘additional announcements regarding Presidential Inaugural Committee leadership will be forthcoming’.
No official comment had been released by either Wynn Macau or Sands China by the time this went to print.
