Millions of dollars short and running out of time, organizers of the Republican National Convention have written an urgent request for $6 million to Las Vegas billionaire couple Sheldon and Miriam Adelson to cover the bills for next weeks festivities.
In a letter addressed to the Adelsons, obtained by POLITICO, the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee revealed the names of more than two dozen prominent corporations and individuals who have reneged on a collective $8.1 million in pledged donations.
The letter represents the most public acknowledgement to date that Donald Trump has directly cost convention organizers millions of fundraising dollars.
Over the past couple months, negative publicity around our potential nominee resulted in a considerable number of pledges backing out from their commitments, the letter says.
It goes on to list the companies and wealthy individuals who have withdrawn their financial commitments. Among those who have canceled their donations, according to the letter, are David Koch ($1 million), FedEx ($500,000), Visa ($100,000) and both Pepsi ($500,000) and Coca-Cola ($1 million).
The letter says the RNC has raised $58 million putting the party $6 million below the $64 million that was promised to bring the convention to Cleveland.
They ask the Adelsons to single-handedly close the RNCs shortfall.
We would greatly appreciate if you would consider a $6,000,000 contribution to the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee to help us cross the finish line, says the letter.
The letter is dated July 12. The convention begins July 18.
