Trump helped Sheldon Adelson advance Japan casino plans, report claims

WASHINGTON — A wide-ranging report into the relationship between US President Donald Trump and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson says that Trump intervened on Adelson’s behalf in the Jewish billionaire’s quest to open a casino in Japan.

The report posted Wednesday by ProPublica and WNYC, NPR’s New York affiliate, says that Trump told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe he should strongly consider allowing Adelson to open a casino in the country.

Adelson’s spokesman, Ron Reese, denies the claim.

“If our company has any advantage, it would be because of our significant Asian operating experience and our unique convention-based business model,” Reese tells ProPublica/WNYC. “Any suggestion we are favored for some other reason is not based on the reality of the process in Japan or the integrity of the officials involved in it.”

Abe also met with Adelson during his visit in February 2017, a month after Trump assumed office. Since then, Abe has advanced legislation that would allow casinos to open in Japan, although it is not clear yet that Adelson’s Sands operation will be given a license.

Adelson, the Las Vegas-based casino magnate and one of the wealthiest men in the world, spent $20 million to help elect Trump and another $5 million for his inauguration. His oft-stated rationale for backing Trump is the president’s Israel policy, which aligns closely with the Israeli right wing, including moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and pulling out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

ProPublica/WNYC listed other benefits that have accrued to Adelson, including a provision in last year’s tax rehaul that gives a break to companies that incur high taxes abroad. Adelson paid lobbyists to argue for the provision, and Sands saved $1.2 billion because of it.

— JTA