Billionaire GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson refused Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) entry to his suite at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night after the Texas senator declined to endorse Donald Trump in his speech, CNN reported.
Senior Adelson aide Andy Abboud confirmed to CNN that his boss had invited Cruz to visit with him and his wife Miriam, but turned him away at the door after he stunned the audience at Quicken Loans Arena by urging voters to vote their conscience in November.
“When he didn’t endorse, they were stunned and disappointed,” Abboud told the network.
“We could not allow Ted Cruz to use the Adelsons as a prop against Donald Trump,” he continued. “The Adelsons support Donald Trump and made that clear. They like Ted Cruz, but there was no way the Adelsons were going to be the first stop after not endorsing. That would be disrespectful to our nominee.”
Cruz sought the support of the Las Vegas casino magnate during his own bid for the 2016 nomination. Adelson met with several Republican candidates but ultimately waited until Trump emerged as the presumptive nominee after the Indiana primary to formally endorse the real estate mogul.
Trump himself stopped by the suite, and Abboud tweeted a photo of him with the Adelsons.
The Adelson’s with their choice for President! pic.twitter.com/gYsHBeT9AS
— Andy Abboud (@AndyAbboud) July 21, 2016
Cruz and his wife Heidi were escorted from the convention floor by security after he was booed off stage. They were approached by furious donors and delegates who insulted Cruz and physically intimidated him.
Wow. All the subtle dynamics of a nursery school recess.
When he runs in 2020 against President Hillary Adelson will back him because Hillary.
Getting stopped at the gate by Bib Fortuna. A blessing in disguise. Not even much of a disguise, even.
Ted will be glad to have missed it when Sheldon’s sail barge explodes.
Adelson may have been a little nervous about Ted after he revealed his desire for carnal relations with a rat. How’s that convention going GOPers?
Nate Silver, could you encapsulate the RNC thus far?
Subtle. I like it.
Carnival Cruz just one-upped his running mate Carly Fiorina. I thought it would be tough to outdo the rat who boarded the sinking ship, but burning his bridge while he’s still standing on it, definitely qualifies.