Steve Wynn Gave Millions to the GOP – Pressure Grows on Republicans to Give It Back
RNC Waged War on Democrats Over Harvey Weinstein Donations
In a bombshell report from the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal billionaire casino owner Steve Wynn is accused by “dozens” of people, including former employees, of inappropriate sexual behavior. Wynn, the Republican National Committee’s finance chairman and a huge GOP donor, has given the RNC and other Republican groups and politicians over $2 million.
In the few hours since the news broke, pressure has been growing for the RNC to fire Wynn and for the RNC and other recipients of Wynn cash to give it back.
Last October, amid countless news reports of the growing list of Harvey Weinstein sexual assault accusers, the RWNC waged a weeks-long war on the Democratic National Committee and various Democratic politicians, including now private citizen Hillary Clinton, to return any donations from Weinstein, a big Democratic donor.
So far the RNC and other Republicans have said nearly nothing. Wynn so far has made it clear he will not resign from his company, Wynn Resorts, despite its stock taking an 8 point hit Friday afternoon as the markets closed at new highs.
The Washington Post reports a Wynn spokesperson had no comment on questions about him possibly stepping down as RNC finance chairman.
Alixandria Lapp, president of House Majority PAC, a Democratic political action committee, is asking why the RNC isn’t returning all funds donated during Wynn’s tenure as finance chair:
Since he is finance chairman, shouldn’t they have to give *all* the money back they’ve raised since he has been there? https://t.co/mlr7NAuBkp
— Alixandria Lapp (@AliLapp) January 26, 2018
Just one week ago at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, Wynn co-hosted a joint RNC-Trump re-election campaign fundraiser that included $250,000 per-couple tickets.
“Will Trump return the money raised at Mar-a-Lago?” ThinkProgress asks. “Will Trump return the $729,217 Wynn donated to Trump’s inauguration?”
“Since 2012, Wynn has also given $2.5 million to the Republican Governors Association, $411,000 to the National Republican Senate Committee, $248,000 to the Republican National Committee and $100,000 to the National Republican Campaign Committee,” ThinkProgress also notes.
The Daily Beast reports “Wynn has donated more than $2 million to Republican campaigns, party organs, and interest groups since 2001, according to FEC records.”
There’s been what sounds like a conspiracy of silence throughout the GOP.
“The RNC, which last year chose not to distance itself from another official credibly accused of sexual harassment—Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore—did not respond to a request for comment as to whether they would now do the same,” The Daily Beast reports. “Nor did Sean Spicer, the president’s former press secretary and the committee’s former top strategist, who was particularly aggressive in criticizing Democrats after the Weinstein revelations.”
Just one GOP group, the Wisconsin GOP, has announced it will donate a portion of Wynn’s money.
Many are calling on the RNC and other recipients of Wynn’s millions, to give it back:
This was a perfectly legitimate point by the @GOP about Democrats and Weinstein $$$ that is now relevant to questions about the @GOP‘s own finance chair, Steve Wynn, and his donations. https://t.co/AHuOynyRX7
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 26, 2018
Steve Wynn Chairs the RNC Finance Committee.
He’s been accused by dozens of women of sexual assault (and by some definitions, rape).
It’s also been confirmed he paid out a $7.5 million settlement to one of these women.
RT if you think the @GOP should return his donations. pic.twitter.com/Fk5ozgZ3mO
— Millennial Politics (@MillenPolitics) January 26, 2018
Let’s see if @GOP and Roy Moore supporter @GOPChairwoman will return Steve Wynn’s money and fire him as Finance Chair.https://t.co/rK6L5Vgq9T
— Brian Tashman (@briantashman) January 26, 2018
The Wynn scandal put corporate America’s hypocrisy in broad daylight. RT if you agree the RNC should return his donations. https://t.co/QEYqMr5K4K
— Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) January 26, 2018
Are we asking everyone to return their political donations from Steve Wynn or is that only a Democrat requirement?
— Celia (@_celia_marie_) January 26, 2018
.@GOPChairwoman so when are you guys returning Wynn’s donations? https://t.co/rKRv9MaPA4
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) January 26, 2018
And will all those Republicans return their Wynn donations as they demanded every Democrat return Weinstein donations?
— Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) January 26, 2018
Steve Wynn needs to go and anyone who took donations needs to return or donate it to the #TimesUp legal fund. #FireSteveWynn https://t.co/IjtEb61Tzm
— WonderWoman #RESIST (@AlsoWonderWoman) January 26, 2018
Image via Instagram
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.