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Where is Republican billionaire 'kingmaker' Sheldon Adelson? Where is Republican billionaire 'kingmaker' Sheldon Adelson?
(6 months later)
Where is Sheldon Adelson? The conservative billionaire Las Vegas casino magnate who threw $100m into a futile effort to unseat Barack Obama in 2012 has so far proved virtually invisible in this year’s presidential race even ahead of this week’s Republican caucuses in his home state of Nevada.Where is Sheldon Adelson? The conservative billionaire Las Vegas casino magnate who threw $100m into a futile effort to unseat Barack Obama in 2012 has so far proved virtually invisible in this year’s presidential race even ahead of this week’s Republican caucuses in his home state of Nevada.
Adelson’s decision to wait out the contest, at least for now, has only added to the mystery around his secretive purchase late last year of Nevada’s most influential newspaper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal. At the time, there was widespread speculation he would put the paper to work on behalf of his anointed candidate, much as an Israeli daily he owns is a strident backer of prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu.Adelson’s decision to wait out the contest, at least for now, has only added to the mystery around his secretive purchase late last year of Nevada’s most influential newspaper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal. At the time, there was widespread speculation he would put the paper to work on behalf of his anointed candidate, much as an Israeli daily he owns is a strident backer of prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Related: Sheldon Adelson-owned Las Vegas Review-Journal endorses Marco Rubio
That may yet come to pass, particularly as Nevada will be hotly contested in the general election late this year. But for now, as Republican presidential candidates begin tour the desert state in search of votes ahead of Tuesday’s contest, Adelson is holding back. The 82-year-old casino billionaire has made relatively few political donations this year. In 2012 he threw $20m behind Newt Gingrich in the Republican primaries, keeping him in the race long after it was clear he had no chance of winning, and then spent another $100m-plus to try to get Mitt Romney into the White House.That may yet come to pass, particularly as Nevada will be hotly contested in the general election late this year. But for now, as Republican presidential candidates begin tour the desert state in search of votes ahead of Tuesday’s contest, Adelson is holding back. The 82-year-old casino billionaire has made relatively few political donations this year. In 2012 he threw $20m behind Newt Gingrich in the Republican primaries, keeping him in the race long after it was clear he had no chance of winning, and then spent another $100m-plus to try to get Mitt Romney into the White House.
His lack of intervention, so far, this time around is despite having held what has been called the “Adelson primary” last year in which several Republican contenders desperate for his considerable financial backing tramped to Las Vegas to be judged on whether they measured up to his political demands.His lack of intervention, so far, this time around is despite having held what has been called the “Adelson primary” last year in which several Republican contenders desperate for his considerable financial backing tramped to Las Vegas to be judged on whether they measured up to his political demands.
Primary among them is unflinching support for Israel, a test Jeb Bush failed when his foreign policy adviser addressed a liberal pro-Israel group, J-Street, which is pressing Netanyahu to negotiate with the Palestinians and to give up territory.Primary among them is unflinching support for Israel, a test Jeb Bush failed when his foreign policy adviser addressed a liberal pro-Israel group, J-Street, which is pressing Netanyahu to negotiate with the Palestinians and to give up territory.
However, the billionaire looks favourably on Florida senator Marco Rubio not only for his support of Netanyahu’s hard line policies, particularly on Iran, but for pushing a bill in the Senate to ban online gambling, a pet political project of Adelson’s. Rubio came second in Saturday’s South Carolina primary, his best showing so far, and has deep connections with Nevada that have led some to conclude he is well-placed to perform well in the state.However, the billionaire looks favourably on Florida senator Marco Rubio not only for his support of Netanyahu’s hard line policies, particularly on Iran, but for pushing a bill in the Senate to ban online gambling, a pet political project of Adelson’s. Rubio came second in Saturday’s South Carolina primary, his best showing so far, and has deep connections with Nevada that have led some to conclude he is well-placed to perform well in the state.
He and Adelson met frequently last year including dining in Washington ahead of Netanyahu’s highly controversial address to Congress which he used to attack Obama’s negotiations with Iran.He and Adelson met frequently last year including dining in Washington ahead of Netanyahu’s highly controversial address to Congress which he used to attack Obama’s negotiations with Iran.
Ted Cruz, the deeply conservative Texas senator, is also in the frame for Adelson’s backing, in part because he was at the forefront of Senate opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. Donald Trump, the only candidate who doesn’t need his money, who won in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and is ahead in the polls in Nevada, has tried to woo Adelson by promising that no other candidate “will be a bigger friend to Israel”. It is considered unlikely Trump will win the fellow billionaire’s backing, at least until the primaries are settled.Ted Cruz, the deeply conservative Texas senator, is also in the frame for Adelson’s backing, in part because he was at the forefront of Senate opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. Donald Trump, the only candidate who doesn’t need his money, who won in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and is ahead in the polls in Nevada, has tried to woo Adelson by promising that no other candidate “will be a bigger friend to Israel”. It is considered unlikely Trump will win the fellow billionaire’s backing, at least until the primaries are settled.
Bernie Sanders, the Democratic presidential contender, attacked Adelson’s political influence in a campaign speech in Las Vegas last week. “The first caucus was held many, many, many months ago here in Las Vegas. It was the Sheldon Adelson caucus,” said Sanders. “This is the corruption of American democracy, that some guy, just because he’s worth whatever – 10, 20, 40 billion dollars – summons Republican candidates to his office and he says, all right, tell me what you going to do for me in order to get the tens of millions of dollars I’m going to give you. My friends, this is not democracy. This is oligarchy.”Bernie Sanders, the Democratic presidential contender, attacked Adelson’s political influence in a campaign speech in Las Vegas last week. “The first caucus was held many, many, many months ago here in Las Vegas. It was the Sheldon Adelson caucus,” said Sanders. “This is the corruption of American democracy, that some guy, just because he’s worth whatever – 10, 20, 40 billion dollars – summons Republican candidates to his office and he says, all right, tell me what you going to do for me in order to get the tens of millions of dollars I’m going to give you. My friends, this is not democracy. This is oligarchy.”
But the candidates have yet to see those tens of millions of dollars. A report in the Hill in January said that Adelson’s restraint is in part the result of differences with his wife, Miriam, over who to back. The Hill said Adelson, who is liberal on a number of social policies, favours Rubio while his wife backs Cruz.But the candidates have yet to see those tens of millions of dollars. A report in the Hill in January said that Adelson’s restraint is in part the result of differences with his wife, Miriam, over who to back. The Hill said Adelson, who is liberal on a number of social policies, favours Rubio while his wife backs Cruz.
Related: What does Sheldon Adelson want with Nevada's largest newspaper? | Mike Hoyt
Jon Ralston, an analyst and the host of a political television show in Las Vegas, said Adelson is taking a more considered approach to this election. “His support for Gingrich was personal. They go back to the 90s. This year he wants to be with someone who can win a general. He likes Rubio, but he wants to see if Rubio can win,” he said.Jon Ralston, an analyst and the host of a political television show in Las Vegas, said Adelson is taking a more considered approach to this election. “His support for Gingrich was personal. They go back to the 90s. This year he wants to be with someone who can win a general. He likes Rubio, but he wants to see if Rubio can win,” he said.
Adelson also has far more on his plate than four years ago. He is facing a bruising legal case which is threatening to throw unwelcome light on the business practices of his company, Las Vegas Sands, which has raised allegations of bribery and other corruption at the billionaire’s casinos in Macau. The case, which is scheduled to be heard in June, a month before the Republican convention that will appoint the party’s nominee, potentially threatens the gambling licences of his Las Vegas casinos.Adelson also has far more on his plate than four years ago. He is facing a bruising legal case which is threatening to throw unwelcome light on the business practices of his company, Las Vegas Sands, which has raised allegations of bribery and other corruption at the billionaire’s casinos in Macau. The case, which is scheduled to be heard in June, a month before the Republican convention that will appoint the party’s nominee, potentially threatens the gambling licences of his Las Vegas casinos.
If it goes all the way to full trial and the allegations are found to have merit, that would open the door to accusations that Adelson’s political donations have been made with tainted money. The billionaire was last week ordered to give 49 hours of pre-trial depositions beginning this week. That order came the day after Adelson failed in his attempt to have the judge in the case, Elizabeth Gonzalez, removed for alleged bias. That in turn is linked to the billionaire’s purchase of the Review-Journal.If it goes all the way to full trial and the allegations are found to have merit, that would open the door to accusations that Adelson’s political donations have been made with tainted money. The billionaire was last week ordered to give 49 hours of pre-trial depositions beginning this week. That order came the day after Adelson failed in his attempt to have the judge in the case, Elizabeth Gonzalez, removed for alleged bias. That in turn is linked to the billionaire’s purchase of the Review-Journal.
Adelson spent $140m on the paper, somewhere around $60m more than it is considered to have been worth. That has mystified many in Nevada politics. It is possible that Adelson purchased the Review-Journal to influence Las Vegas and state politics. He has campaigned against a publicly funded conference centre to rival one he owns and, in something of a contradiction, is attempting to win public financing to bring an NFL franchise to Las Vegas.Adelson spent $140m on the paper, somewhere around $60m more than it is considered to have been worth. That has mystified many in Nevada politics. It is possible that Adelson purchased the Review-Journal to influence Las Vegas and state politics. He has campaigned against a publicly funded conference centre to rival one he owns and, in something of a contradiction, is attempting to win public financing to bring an NFL franchise to Las Vegas.
But Ralston said the casino magnate’s money has not had a major impact on state politics. “Adelson influences Nevada politics with his money but he hasn’t had much success. He helped elect one governor – Jim Gibbons – who was a disaster. And he has helped various Republicans win office, including last year, a big GOP year, when he especially helped Adam Laxalt, the new attorney general,” he said.But Ralston said the casino magnate’s money has not had a major impact on state politics. “Adelson influences Nevada politics with his money but he hasn’t had much success. He helped elect one governor – Jim Gibbons – who was a disaster. And he has helped various Republicans win office, including last year, a big GOP year, when he especially helped Adam Laxalt, the new attorney general,” he said.
Michael Hengel, the Review-Journal’s former editor, said Adelson does not need to involve himself in local political campaigns to wield influence. He has that by running a casino empire. “If he wants to talk to somebody at state or regional or county politics, on any issue that really matters to him, internet gaming, that kind of thing, he can pick up the phone and get anybody,” he said. “You get a phone call from him, it’s going to get returned right away. People know what he stands for. He’s very outspoken on the issues that are important to him.”Michael Hengel, the Review-Journal’s former editor, said Adelson does not need to involve himself in local political campaigns to wield influence. He has that by running a casino empire. “If he wants to talk to somebody at state or regional or county politics, on any issue that really matters to him, internet gaming, that kind of thing, he can pick up the phone and get anybody,” he said. “You get a phone call from him, it’s going to get returned right away. People know what he stands for. He’s very outspoken on the issues that are important to him.”
The Review-Journal could still play a role on the national stage, where Adelson prefers to be. It has endorsed Rubio ahead of the Republican caucuses. The editor has insisted the decision was made independently of Adelson although it does appear to dovetail with the billionaire’s political sensibilities.The Review-Journal could still play a role on the national stage, where Adelson prefers to be. It has endorsed Rubio ahead of the Republican caucuses. The editor has insisted the decision was made independently of Adelson although it does appear to dovetail with the billionaire’s political sensibilities.
And Ralston sees the casino magnate’s hand at work in the paper’s political coverage. “Adelson bought the RJ to use it for his political agenda, in my opinion,” he said. “His organisation’s hand has already been seen. He claims to have stayed out of the Rubio endorsement, but the paper has now done it twice. Plenty of stories and columns written about how he has tried top influence coverage, either directly or indirectly.”And Ralston sees the casino magnate’s hand at work in the paper’s political coverage. “Adelson bought the RJ to use it for his political agenda, in my opinion,” he said. “His organisation’s hand has already been seen. He claims to have stayed out of the Rubio endorsement, but the paper has now done it twice. Plenty of stories and columns written about how he has tried top influence coverage, either directly or indirectly.”
But the most significant intervention is in coverage that strikes closer to home. The sale of the Review-Journal was shrouded in mystery until journalists on the paper revealed that Adelson had bought it through an ownership structure using his relatives, as he did with his Israeli newspaper. As the revelations came, Hengel, the then editor, found himself in a struggle with the new owners to lay bare the casino magnate’s dealings to buy the paper.But the most significant intervention is in coverage that strikes closer to home. The sale of the Review-Journal was shrouded in mystery until journalists on the paper revealed that Adelson had bought it through an ownership structure using his relatives, as he did with his Israeli newspaper. As the revelations came, Hengel, the then editor, found himself in a struggle with the new owners to lay bare the casino magnate’s dealings to buy the paper.
James DeHaven, a former reporter on the Review-Journal, was one of the authors of a series of articles which revealed that Adelson had bought the paper. “My last few weeks there, it was routine having stories killed, altered, pared way, way down. That was routine,” he said. “Stories about Adelson, any stories about the change of ownership, were being very heavily edited and not by our editors. That was the problem.”James DeHaven, a former reporter on the Review-Journal, was one of the authors of a series of articles which revealed that Adelson had bought the paper. “My last few weeks there, it was routine having stories killed, altered, pared way, way down. That was routine,” he said. “Stories about Adelson, any stories about the change of ownership, were being very heavily edited and not by our editors. That was the problem.”
On one occasion, the management ordered changes to a story even as the paper was being printed. “The first story about the ownership change, they stopped the presses to make changes. Apparently the publishers called. It was done at the corporate level,” said DeHaven, who left the Review-Journal at Christmas to take up a job in Montana that he accepted before Adelson bought the Las Vegas paper.On one occasion, the management ordered changes to a story even as the paper was being printed. “The first story about the ownership change, they stopped the presses to make changes. Apparently the publishers called. It was done at the corporate level,” said DeHaven, who left the Review-Journal at Christmas to take up a job in Montana that he accepted before Adelson bought the Las Vegas paper.
“That set a pretty ominous tone for what would become a fairly common occurrence over the next several weeks. We knew that there would be a tightening of Sheldon’s grip at some point so that wasn’t out of the blue.”“That set a pretty ominous tone for what would become a fairly common occurrence over the next several weeks. We knew that there would be a tightening of Sheldon’s grip at some point so that wasn’t out of the blue.”
Among the changes made was the removal of a quote in the article from Hengel which questioned who was behind the purchase and “what are their expectations?”. Hengel was not consulted or notified about the change. He abruptly resigned from the Review-Journal in December. He is blocked by the terms of his severance agreement from discussing the circumstances. It is widely believed by Review-Journal staff to have resulted from his determination to publish another series of stories which touched on Adelson.Among the changes made was the removal of a quote in the article from Hengel which questioned who was behind the purchase and “what are their expectations?”. Hengel was not consulted or notified about the change. He abruptly resigned from the Review-Journal in December. He is blocked by the terms of his severance agreement from discussing the circumstances. It is widely believed by Review-Journal staff to have resulted from his determination to publish another series of stories which touched on Adelson.
When the billionaire was in secret negotiations to buy the paper, an order came down from the then owners, Gatehouse Media, for reporters to monitor the courtroom conduct of three judges, one of whom was Elizabeth Gonzalez who was hearing the lawsuit against Adelson and his casino empire, Las Vegas Sands. She had repeatedly ruled against the billionaire and his company in hearings, including determining that a full trial could go ahead in Nevada.When the billionaire was in secret negotiations to buy the paper, an order came down from the then owners, Gatehouse Media, for reporters to monitor the courtroom conduct of three judges, one of whom was Elizabeth Gonzalez who was hearing the lawsuit against Adelson and his casino empire, Las Vegas Sands. She had repeatedly ruled against the billionaire and his company in hearings, including determining that a full trial could go ahead in Nevada.
DeHaven was one of the reporters assigned to carry out the investigation which he found odd but not sinister. “I did think stuff like the court watching initiative was odd. At the time I thought it was completely innocent if a little bit goofy. I thought it was one of those corporate type things that was passed down and we all just have to swallow it,” he said. The reporting team turned in 15,000 words which concluded there was nothing untoward in the conduct of Gonzalez or the other judges. None of it was printed. One Review-Journal reporter described the story as a “big yawn”.DeHaven was one of the reporters assigned to carry out the investigation which he found odd but not sinister. “I did think stuff like the court watching initiative was odd. At the time I thought it was completely innocent if a little bit goofy. I thought it was one of those corporate type things that was passed down and we all just have to swallow it,” he said. The reporting team turned in 15,000 words which concluded there was nothing untoward in the conduct of Gonzalez or the other judges. None of it was printed. One Review-Journal reporter described the story as a “big yawn”.
But the revelation that Adelson was in negotiations to buy the newspaper at the time put a different complexion on things. It is not known if the billionaire played any direct part in ordering the investigation of Gonzalez, or was even aware of it. Hengel said that even now he doesn’t know the origins of the investigation. “Nobody knows exactly where it came from,” he said.But the revelation that Adelson was in negotiations to buy the newspaper at the time put a different complexion on things. It is not known if the billionaire played any direct part in ordering the investigation of Gonzalez, or was even aware of it. Hengel said that even now he doesn’t know the origins of the investigation. “Nobody knows exactly where it came from,” he said.
But DeHaven said reporters could not ignore the fact that the judge who had clashed with Adelson and his lawyers in court was the target. “It was not hard to reach certain conclusions from that. It was not a difficult calculus to figure out those two things might be related,” he said.But DeHaven said reporters could not ignore the fact that the judge who had clashed with Adelson and his lawyers in court was the target. “It was not hard to reach certain conclusions from that. It was not a difficult calculus to figure out those two things might be related,” he said.
Although the Review-Journal did not publish the investigation, a small Connecticut newspaper linked to Gatehouse subsequently printed a story criticising Gonzalez for “inconsistent” and “contradictory” rulings before retracting it and acknowledging errors. Weeks after Adelson bought the paper, the new publisher, Craig Moon, removed a statement of editorial independence which had appeared daily on page three of the Review-Journal in an attempt to reassure readers. He told the Los Angeles Times that no other paper published a similar statement. Moon has also denied stories have been changed to suit Adelson or Las Vegas Sands.Although the Review-Journal did not publish the investigation, a small Connecticut newspaper linked to Gatehouse subsequently printed a story criticising Gonzalez for “inconsistent” and “contradictory” rulings before retracting it and acknowledging errors. Weeks after Adelson bought the paper, the new publisher, Craig Moon, removed a statement of editorial independence which had appeared daily on page three of the Review-Journal in an attempt to reassure readers. He told the Los Angeles Times that no other paper published a similar statement. Moon has also denied stories have been changed to suit Adelson or Las Vegas Sands.
He has acknowledged that reports about the billionaire or his business have been “reviewed” by the publisher but denied they were edited. Some staff on the paper think coverage of the looming court case – in which the former chief executive of his Macau casinos, Steve Jacobs, is suing for wrongful dismissal, claiming he was sacked for his refusal to go along with corrupt practices – will be a litmus test of editorial independence.He has acknowledged that reports about the billionaire or his business have been “reviewed” by the publisher but denied they were edited. Some staff on the paper think coverage of the looming court case – in which the former chief executive of his Macau casinos, Steve Jacobs, is suing for wrongful dismissal, claiming he was sacked for his refusal to go along with corrupt practices – will be a litmus test of editorial independence.
The staff remain what one journalist described as “cautiously pessimistic”. The new owners have recruited additional reporters and are putting fresh financial resources into the Review-Journal. But evidence at earlier court hearings of Adelson’s involvement in the minutiae of the running of his casinos, and his combative nature in court in which he got into arguments with Judge Gonzalez – she once told him “You don’t get to argue with me” – has led some reporters to conclude that he is unlikely to remain hands off at a newspaper that cost him $140m.The staff remain what one journalist described as “cautiously pessimistic”. The new owners have recruited additional reporters and are putting fresh financial resources into the Review-Journal. But evidence at earlier court hearings of Adelson’s involvement in the minutiae of the running of his casinos, and his combative nature in court in which he got into arguments with Judge Gonzalez – she once told him “You don’t get to argue with me” – has led some reporters to conclude that he is unlikely to remain hands off at a newspaper that cost him $140m.