Media Analysis

Trump’s quarrel with mega-donor Sheldon Adelson could be good news for Mideast peace

The New York Times today buried some news that could turn out to be vital to peace in the Middle East over the next few months. Toward the end of a report on Trump’s bizarre press conference/campaign rally at his private club in New Jersey last night, the paper revealed that he is quarreling with Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire pro-Israel mega-donor:

Earlier in the week, Mr. Trump had a tense phone call with the casino magnate Sheldon G. Adelson, whom the president upbraided for not donating more to support his re-election, according to a person familiar with the call. Mr. Adelson and his wife donated $10 million to a super PAC supporting Mr. Trump in 2018, and have each written checks for nearly $600,000 during this cycle.

The Times drew no conclusions from this intriguing fact. But anyone who follows the Mideast recognizes that a Trump-Adelson rupture could have two positive consequences right away:

* Trump could now be less likely to support Benjamin Netanyahu’s hope to illegally annex up to 30 percent of West Bank Palestine.

* Trump could also be less likely to let Israel sucker him into starting a conflict with Iran.

This mildly optimistic scenario is based partly on a revelation in the memoir of John Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser before turning against him. Bolton says that the U.S. was all set to launch air strikes against Iran in June 2019, but Trump called off the attack at the last minute, concerned that it might kill 150 Iranians. Bolton (who Trump appointed apparently to please Adelson) was disgusted, but the episode may show that the president has to be prodded into using violence. 

The brief Times mention of the Trump-Adelson disagreement raises an interesting question: why didn’t the paper consult Mideast experts and draw some conclusions about the rupture’s possible impact on U.S. policy? Adelson’s warmongering pro-Israel views are no secret; he has even called for “an atomic weapon” to be fired at Iran. If a mega-donor connected to say, Big Pharma, broke with Trump, the Times would surely connect the dots. But somehow the Israel factor goes unreported. 

(P.S. Politico is also reporting about the Trump-Adelson disagreement — and also making no mention of its potential impact on Israel, Iran and Mideast peace.)

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Oh, boo, hoo, Sheldon and Donald have had a “falling out.” Bibi and Sheldon must be so disappointed that apparently, an attack against Iran is not in the cards.

Lest we forget:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=6sCW4IasWXc
Short video, Oct. 25, 2013, discussion between rabid Zionists, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Sheldon Adelson. Adelson declares – “Attack Iran with an atomic bomb”

Video regarding Adelson’s huge contributions to the Republicans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=iPRnTU6fO-g
Did Sheldon Adelson Just Buy A War With Iran? May 10, 2018

Haaretz, Dec. 7/18, by Amir Tibon
WASHINGTON – “Casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson is reportedly spending at least $55 million during the upcoming midterm elections in order to keep Republicans in control of Congress.”

“The Casino billionaire’s total contributions to various Republican causes surpass $100 million, according to the New York Times, possibly making him the largest single donor in American politics today.”

In order to paint Adelson in a good light the MSM are ignoring the Chinese angle as well as the Israeli connections. The Chinese do not want Trump to win the election. Adelson’s main business is in China (Macao) where he earns billions from Chinese gamblers and is therefore able to give multi-millions to the GOP. He is naturally very dependent on the goodwill of the Chinese government. Therefore, the Chinese may be applying pressure to Adelson who is one of Trump’s most significant supporters. The Adelson casinos in Macao are vulnerable in the present political climate. Adelson may already be reducing his financial support for Trump which is not being well received.

Didn’t Adelson call for the US to “nuke Iran”? That probably means more than one nuclear weapon.

By the way, is it only the corporate media that avoid the Israeli angle? Why has Mondoweiss not commented on the latest Israeli attack on Beirut? Alison Weir has quoted a well-informed Israeli source admitting that Israel was responsible. Surely the Mossad must be the prime suspect, if only in light of its record. Lebanon was becoming too stable, it needed to be destabilized.

If Only…

Adelson could be angry that Trump stopped the annexation bandwagon. Could be Trump appoints his enemies, to keep them close, Bolton and Abrams for examples. Trump said if Israel rebuked him, he’d cut the money, “All of it.” Anyone imagine Biden saying such a thing?

Apparently Trump stiffed the War State and Israel on the Iran attack by citing 150 deaths. I remember Obama’s battles with them. Trump said he intended move to become the greatest of all time by doing what no other President had… make I-P peace… essentially resolve Jerusalem, then in his second term make ME peace. He moved forward but Abbas couldn’t get on page. Trump’s bullying is especially offensive to those who are in need of respect. Most people. The Iranians know he wants a deal.