Republicans looking to replace Trump are flocking to Las Vegas to 'kiss the ring' of billionaire donor: report

According to a report from Politico, Miriam Adelson -- the widow of billionaire mega-GOP donor Sheldon Adelson -- is reopening the checkbook after her husband's death with the intent of carrying on his work and supporting conservative causes and candidates.

After a period of mourning, during which she retreated from sight, Adelson is reportedly meeting with Republican Party bigwigs with the 2022 midterm approaching and is willing to continue the multi-million dollar stream of donations to the GOP that she and her husband made during the past decade.

With a fortune estimated at approximately $30 billion, Politico reports that GOP leaders such as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) have been courting Adelson and that list has grown even bigger as potential challengers to Donald Trump as both the face of the party and the 2024 GOP presidential nominee are making the pilgrimage to Las Vegas to "kiss the ring."

As Politico's Alex Isenstadt reports, "...the list of figures Adelson met with this week included House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Rick Scott, who are helping to guide the party's midterm efforts. She also huddled with a group of Republicans regarded as potential presidential hopefuls in 2024: former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Vice President Mike Pence, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis."

The reason, he notes, is the Adelson history of writing big checks that can make or break a candidacy.

'The ring-kissing underscores Adelson's unmatched influence in megadonor circles. Over the past two decades, Adelson and her husband regularly cut seven-and-eight-figure checks that had the power to make or break Republican candidates. The Adelsons were the biggest donors to federal candidates and super PACs in three of the last five elections, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group that tracks political giving," Isenstadt wrote. "During last year's campaign, the couple gave more than $91 million to bolster former President Donald Trump's reelection effort, making them Trump's biggest financial backer."

The report notes that Adelson met with top Republicans at a dinner in May where she pledged her support for future campaigns but has yet to make any commitments to candidates as the election shapes up.

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