Casino mogul and top Republican donor Sheldon Adelson believes the nomination and now confirmation of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary is “shameful” due to his “associations,” according to Nevada reporter Jon Ralston. Adelson also called Hagel “anti-Semitic.”
Ralston had a chance encounter with Adelson Tuesday afternoon and picked his brain about Hagel.
He then launched into a mini-rant about Hagel, saying he can’t believe “this president” would have chosen someone who had made some of the statements he has made. Later, Adelson wryly suggested that after Hagel is confirmed, “He’s going to convert to Judaism” to show good faith. Then, Adelson added, “He’ll move to Israel.”
Adelson recounted that he had been talking to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening, but wouldn’t relay what Netanyahu had said to him.
