Trump-Kemp Relations Improve as Adelson Donates $1M to GA \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson has contributed $1 million to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s super PAC, helping fuel Kemp’s voter mobilization efforts in the state and reflecting a rapprochement between Kemp and Donald Trump. Although the two have had public disagreements in recent years, the funding aligns them in a critical 2024 battleground where Trump faces a competitive race against Kamala Harris. This contribution is also significant in highlighting Adelson’s ongoing influence within Republican donor circles.
Miriam Adelson’s $1M Donation to Kemp Quick Looks:
- $1M donation boost: Miriam Adelson, a top Republican donor, contributes $1 million to Governor Kemp’s super PAC, signaling a new chapter in their alliance.
- Trump-Kemp reconciliation: Despite past clashes, Kemp and Trump are working together ahead of the critical 2024 election, particularly in Georgia, a key swing state.
- Battleground Georgia: Trump’s narrow 2020 loss in Georgia by 11,779 votes underscores the importance of voter mobilization efforts funded by Kemp’s super PAC.
- Adelson’s influence: Miriam Adelson’s donation not only strengthens Kemp’s efforts in Georgia but also reaffirms her status as a significant Republican donor.
- Complex relationship: Although Trump and Kemp remain at odds on several issues, including the 2020 election results, their political goals seem aligned for 2024.
Deep Look:
Miriam Adelson, widow of the late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, has made a $1 million contribution to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s super PAC, according to federal campaign finance records. This substantial donation is poised to bolster Kemp’s voter outreach efforts, particularly in Georgia, a crucial battleground state for Republicans in the upcoming 2024 election. Adelson, one of the most influential Republican donors, has injected new energy into Kemp’s political operations, and her contribution reflects an improving relationship between Kemp and Donald Trump as the former president seeks to reclaim the White House.
The Adelson donation comes at a pivotal moment in Georgia, where Trump faces a highly competitive race against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. In the 2020 election, Trump narrowly lost the state by 11,779 votes, a margin of just 0.3 percentage points. The narrow defeat underscored Georgia’s shifting political landscape, making it a must-win state for Republicans in 2024. With the financial backing of Kemp’s “Hardworking Americans” PAC, Republicans hope to enhance their voter mobilization efforts and help Trump gain the edge needed to secure Georgia’s 16 electoral votes.
Adelson’s contribution also marks a significant moment in the relationship between Kemp and Trump. The two have had a rocky past, primarily due to Kemp’s refusal to block the certification of Georgia’s 2020 election results, which Trump continues to falsely claim were marred by widespread voter fraud. These claims have been thoroughly debunked, but Trump has nonetheless used them as a cornerstone of his campaign narrative, consistently repeating the false assertion that he won Georgia four years ago.
Kemp, who stood firm in the face of Trump’s pressure to overturn the election results, has since urged the former president to move past the 2020 controversy. Despite their public differences, Kemp and Trump seem to have reached a tenuous peace, with their mutual goal of ensuring a Republican victory in 2024 taking precedence over past disputes.
Signs of reconciliation between the two became more evident in August 2023, when Trump held a campaign rally in Georgia. During the rally, Trump spent nearly 10 minutes lambasting Kemp, calling him “disloyal” and “a very average governor,” despite Kemp’s decisive victory over Trump-endorsed David Perdue in the 2022 GOP primary. Trump’s attacks extended to Kemp’s wife, Marty, whom he mocked for her decision to write in her husband’s name for president in the 2024 election.
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s key allies, intervened to mediate the situation. Shortly after the rally, Graham reportedly told Trump that his continued criticism of Kemp could cost him the state of Georgia in 2024, stating, “You’re not going to win Georgia this way. And Georgia is yours to lose.” Graham took further steps to mend the relationship by arranging a private meeting between Kemp and Miriam Adelson at a Republican fundraiser held at the home of former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler. This meeting, followed by a phone call facilitated by Graham, helped smooth tensions between Kemp and Trump.
Kemp’s appearance on Fox News shortly afterward further demonstrated the thawing of relations. During an interview with Sean Hannity, a staunch Trump supporter, Kemp publicly endorsed Trump’s bid for a second term, stating, “We need to send Donald Trump back to the White House.” In response, Trump took to social media to express his gratitude, thanking Kemp for his support and acknowledging the governor’s efforts in helping to secure Georgia for the Republicans.
Although Kemp and Adelson had maintained an ongoing relationship, their collaboration appeared set to deepen at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s leadership conference in Las Vegas, where they were both scheduled to appear in September 2023. However, a tragic school shooting in Georgia forced Kemp to cancel his travel plans to focus on addressing the situation back home. Nevertheless, Adelson’s financial support underscores the strength of her political influence and her commitment to helping Republican candidates succeed in key races.
Adelson’s donation to Kemp’s super PAC, dated September 20, 2023, has provided a significant boost to the governor’s political efforts. However, the contribution does not signal a complete resolution of the tensions between Trump and Kemp. Just over a week after the donation was made public, Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s response to Hurricane Helene, accusing him of politicizing the administration’s relief efforts and failing to communicate with Kemp about the damage in Georgia. In a rare public defense of Biden, Kemp clarified that the president had, in fact, called him to offer federal assistance, stating, “The president just called me yesterday afternoon, and I missed him and called him right back… He offered, if there are other things we need, just to call him directly, which I appreciate.”
The relationship between Kemp and Trump remains a complex one, with lingering tensions over the 2020 election and occasional public disagreements. However, as the 2024 election looms, both men appear focused on the larger goal of securing a Republican victory. Miriam Adelson’s generous contribution to Kemp’s super PAC is a clear sign that key Republican donors are committed to keeping Georgia in the GOP column, and her involvement may serve as a catalyst for further cooperation between Kemp and Trump as they work to defeat the Democratic nominee.
