Miriam Adelson: The Billionaire Who Influenced Trump to Secure Hostage Release

Miriam Adelson: Power Broker’s Influence on US-Israel Policy

October 14, 2024

Washington D.C. – Miriam Adelson, an 80-year-old philanthropist and major Republican Party benefactor, has long operated behind the scenes as a pivotal figure in shaping United States foreign policy concerning Israel. Recent accounts reveal the extent of her influence, notably during the administration of former President Donald Trump, and her continued engagement in sensitive diplomatic efforts.

A History of advocacy and Financial Support

Adelson’s commitment to Israel is deeply rooted in her personal history. Born in Tel Aviv in 1945 to Polish Immigrant parents, she pursued a medical career specializing in addiction treatment before marrying casino magnate Sheldon Adelson in 1991. Together, the Adelsons built a ample fortune and channeled it into political causes, primarily those supporting conservative candidates and pro-Israel initiatives. The couple reportedly donated over $600 million to Republican campaigns and organizations since 2010, with Miriam herself contributing $106 million to Trump’s Presidential bids.

Inside the Trump White House

During a speech before the Israeli Knesset, former President Trump publicly acknowledged adelson’s influence, praising her dedication and even alluding to a private conversation where he questioned her loyalties – a moment that drew laughter from the audience. The Adelsons were frequent visitors to the White House, actively lobbying for policies aligning with their strong Zionist beliefs. These efforts were instrumental in the decision to recognize Israel’s annexation of the golan Heights in 2019 and the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in 2016, policies that substantially altered decades of american foreign policy.

Hostage Negotiations and Current Affairs

More recently, Adelson has played a crucial role as an intermediary in negotiations surrounding the release of hostages held by Hamas. Families of those abducted reported regular contact with Adelson, who leveraged her connections to elevate the issue’s priority within diplomatic circles. Following the October 7th attacks, Adelson reinforced her strong stance against perceived critics of Israel, publishing an editorial in Israel Hayom-a newspaper she owns-calling for the isolation of “Foreign Hamas sympathizers.”

Adelson’s Business Ventures

Following her husband’s death in 2021, Miriam Adelson assumed control of Las Vegas Sands, a global casino empire with properties in Singapore and Macau. The company previously sold its Las Vegas Strip holdings, including the Venetian Resort, for $6.25 billion in 2022. In 2023, she acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks NBA team, further expanding her business portfolio.

Event	Date	Significance
U.S. Embassy Relocation to Jerusalem	2016	Shift in U.S. policy recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Recognition of Golan heights Annexation	2019	Acknowledged Israel’s control over the Syrian-occupied territory.
Venetian Resort Sale	2022	Significant financial transaction reshaping Las Vegas’s hospitality landscape.

Did You Know? Miriam Adelson originally trained as a doctor, specializing in addiction treatment, before becoming a prominent businesswoman and political influencer.

Pro tip: Understanding the role of major donors is crucial for analyzing the motivations behind shifts in foreign policy.

The Evolving Landscape of Political Donations

The Adelson case highlights a broader trend of increasing financial influence in american politics. According to data from the Federal Election Commission, outside spending in U.S. elections has surged in recent years, with super PACs and individual donors playing an increasingly prominent role. This trend raises concerns about the potential for wealthy individuals and corporations to exert undue influence on policy decisions.

The role of diaspora communities in shaping foreign policy is also noteworthy.Individuals like miriam Adelson, with strong ties to Israel, ofen advocate for policies that align with the interests of their ancestral homeland.This dynamic is not unique to the Israeli-American relationship and can be observed in other countries with large diaspora populations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Miriam Adelson

• What is Miriam Adelson’s primary area of political advocacy? Miriam Adelson is primarily known for her strong advocacy for pro-Israel policies and her support for conservative political candidates.
• How much money has Miriam Adelson donated to political causes? Miriam and her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, are estimated to have donated over $600 million to Republican campaigns and organizations.
• What role did Miriam Adelson play in the Trump administration? She was a frequent visitor to the White House and actively lobbied for policies favorable to Israel.
• What is Miriam Adelson’s business background? she took control of Las Vegas Sands after her husband’s death and has expanded her business interests to include ownership of the Dallas mavericks NBA team.
• how did miriam Adelson assist with hostage negotiations? She acted as an intermediary, connecting families of hostages with key decision-makers and raising the profile of the issue.

What are your thoughts on the influence of major donors in shaping US foreign policy? Share your comments below!

What is the potential conflict of interest arising from a private citizen like Miriam Adelson engaging in hostage negotiations with foreign governments?

The Adelson-Trump Connection: A history of Influence

Miriam Adelson, a physician and philanthropist, and her late husband Sheldon adelson, a casino magnate, were significant financial backers of Donald Trump’s political campaigns. Their contributions extended beyond mere donations; reports suggest a direct line of influence, especially concerning foreign policy and hostage negotiations. Understanding this relationship is crucial to examining the circumstances surrounding the release of American hostages held abroad during the Trump management.Key terms related to this include political donations, lobbying, foreign policy influence, and hostage diplomacy.

The Case of Austin Tice: A Syrian journalist

One prominent case highlighting Miriam Adelson’s potential influence involves Austin Tice, a freelance journalist kidnapped in Syria in 2012. For years, Tice’s family pleaded for his release, navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. While previous administrations made efforts, progress stalled.

* 2020 Breakthrough: In late 2020, following reported direct appeals from Miriam Adelson to Trump, a potential deal began to materialize with the Syrian government.

* Roger Carstens’ Role: Roger Carstens, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, played a central role in these negotiations, traveling to Syria on a secret mission. Sources indicate Adelson’s advocacy was instrumental in securing Carstens’ access and the seriousness with which the Syrian government treated the discussions.

* The Proposed Deal: The proposed deal reportedly involved concessions to the Syrian regime, a point of contention that ultimately hampered the release. The specifics remain largely classified, but involved easing sanctions.

Adelson’s Leverage: Israel and Regional Stability

miriam Adelson’s strong pro-Israel stance and deep connections within the Israeli government provided a unique avenue for influence. The Trump administration prioritized strengthening ties with Israel, and Adelson’s insights into the region were highly valued.

* Syria’s relationship with Israel: Syria’s relationship with Israel, and its potential to act as a conduit for facts and negotiation, was a key factor. adelson’s understanding of this dynamic likely informed her approach.

* Regional Security Concerns: The broader context of regional security, including the presence of ISIS and other extremist groups in Syria, also played a role. Adelson’s perspective on these issues was considered vital.

* Sanctions Relief as a Bargaining Chip: The willingness to consider sanctions relief as part of a hostage release deal reflects a pragmatic approach, potentially influenced by Adelson’s understanding of the complexities involved. Sanctions policy, US-Syria relations, and Middle East negotiations are all relevant keywords.

The Role of Back Channels and Private Diplomacy

The Tice case, and others like it, underscore the increasing reliance on “back channels” and private diplomacy in hostage negotiations. This approach often involves individuals with unique access and influence, like Miriam Adelson.

* Limitations of Traditional Diplomacy: Traditional diplomatic channels can be slow and cumbersome, particularly in situations involving hostile regimes.

* the Appeal of Private Intermediaries: Private intermediaries,with established relationships and a willingness to take risks,can sometimes break through impasses.

* Ethical Considerations: The use of private intermediaries raises ethical questions about openness and accountability.Hostage negotiation tactics, private diplomacy, and international relations are crucial search terms.

Other Hostage Releases Potentially Influenced

While the Austin Tice case is the most publicly discussed example, reports suggest Miriam Adelson may have played a role in securing the release of other american hostages during the Trump administration. Details remain scarce due to the sensitive nature of these operations.

* American Prisoners in Iran: There were reports of discussions regarding the release of American prisoners held in Iran, with potential involvement from Adelson.

* Yemen Hostage Negotiations: Negotiations for the release of hostages held in yemen may have also benefited from Adelson’s influence.

* The Importance of Discretion: The success of these negotiations often depends on maintaining strict confidentiality, making it challenging to verify the extent of Adelson’s involvement.

Miriam Adelson’s Philanthropic Network and Political Spending

Understanding Miriam Adelson’s broader philanthropic and political activities provides context for her influence.

* Significant Political Donations: The Adelsons were among the largest individual donors