Republican frontrunner Donald Trump is meeting with GOP mega-donor Sheldon Adelson on Tuesday before the presidential debate in Las Vegas, Trump’s spokeswoman Hope Hicks confirmed to The Hill.
While Trump would certainly welcome Adelson’s support, he “doesn’t want or need his money,” Hicks said, adding that the two are long time friends.
Politico first reported that Trump and Adelson would meet before tonight’s GOP presidential debate at Adelson’s Venetian Hotel.
Adelson is expected to privately huddle with several White House hopefuls before Tuesday’s contest, the report added.
The casino mogul is widely considered one of the most valuable potential donors during the primary.
Adelson backed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the 2012 primary before throwing his support behind Mitt Romney, the party’s eventual nominee.
Trump revealed last month that he had made overtures to the coveted billionaire mega-donor.
“I had one conversation with Sheldon and all he wants to do is protect Israel,” he said on Nov. 5.
“But I don’t want his money. I don’t need his money,” Trump vowed. "I am putting up my own money [for my campaign].
“The only thing I can tell you is that Sheldon Adelson is very well protected because I will take care of Israel,” the real estate tycoon added.
While Trump may not be seeking financial support from Adelson, it’s not exactly true that he is completely self-funding his campaign as he’s repeatedly said on the campaign trail. In October, for example, financial disclosures revealed that donations outpaced his self-funding.
