Donald Trump reaches out to GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson
Donald Trump has consistently throughout his campaign complained about the influence of outside money in the presidential race, but on Thursday morning he admitted he has reached out to Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson.
"I had one conversation with Sheldon," Trump conceded on MSNBC, "and all he wants to do is protect Israel. But I don't want his money. I don't need his money."
Trump's comments were in response to a report from Politico that Trump's campaign has reached out to major GOP donors including Adelson, Paul Singer and the Koch brothers. An unnamed source close to Adelson told Politico that Trump's campaign made "a very clear ask for money" by reaching out.
Trump has in the past accused his GOP competitors of being "puppets" under the influence of their donors. He specifically attacked Sen. Marco Rubio after reports that Adelson was leaning toward supporting the senator.
Sheldon Adelson is looking to give big dollars to Rubio because he feels he can mold him into his perfect little puppet. I agree!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2015
While Politico reported that Trump had also reached out to Paul Singer, a hedge fund billionaire, Trump said on MSNBC, "'I don't know who Paul Singer is."
That's clearly untrue, since just a day earlier Trump slammed Singer and Rubio. "Paul Singer represents amnesty, and he represents illegal immigration pouring into the country. And now he's with Rubio," Trump said at a rally in Concord, New Hampshire on Wednesday.
While he may be reaching out to big donors behind the scenes, Trump has asked all super PACs operating on his behalf to shut down.