Casino Moguls Wynn, Ruffin Gamble on Trump Differently
GOP front runner Donald Trump celebrated his Nevada win with all walks of life. He thanked the highly-educated, the poorly-educated, Hispanics and Evangelists for their support. He also gave a specific shout-out to two of the world’s most influential and richest casino moguls: Phil Ruffin owner of Treasure Island and Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN).
“Steve is always calling. He's always got advice. Right, Steve?” said Trump on Tuesday recalling to the crowd a conversation between the two that went like this, "Donald, I think you oughta do this and that. His advice I like to listen to.” said Trump.
“Mr. Wynn has not endorsed any candidate. He speaks regularly with nearly all of the candidates. His communication with Mr. Trump is similar to conversations with the other candidates.”
Despite the praise, Trump has not officially won Wynn’s official endorsement. A Wynn spokesperson tells FOXBusiness.com, “Mr. Wynn has not endorsed any candidate. He speaks regularly with nearly all of the candidates. His communication with Mr. Trump is similar to conversations with the other candidates.” In September, FOX Business Network’s Charlie Gasparino reported Wynn was serving as an advisor to Trump.
Presidential candidates are chasing deep-pocketed moguls like Wynn and Ruffin who are both self-made and have a net worth of $2.7 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, according to Forbes.
“Donald Trump is brilliant, strong and the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. He works 20 hours a day and needs no sleep. He will make a great president.”
As for Ruffin, he has endorsed Trump telling FOXBusiness.com, “Donald Trump is brilliant, strong and the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. He works 20 hours a day and needs no sleep. He will make a great president.”
On Tuesday, Trump showed his appreciation for Ruffin’s support “I want to just thank a couple of friends of mine that are here. The owner of this incredible hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Ruffin,” said Trump recounting details from a conversation he had with Ruffin. “Donald, I want to put ten million dollars into your campaign." I said, "Phil, I don't want your money. I don't want it. I'm self-funding. Every time I see him it's hard for me to turn down money since that's not what I've done in my whole life,” he said.
With Ruffin committed and Wynn undecided, candidates are still on the hunt for big donor dollars. In December, FOX Business Network’s Charlie Gasparino reported Ohio Governor John Kasich failed to woo Wynn after a meeting in Las Vegas.
Kasich limped to fifth place in Nevada and with Super Tuesday less than a week away he is trailing Trump in his home state of Ohio 31 – 26 percent among the state’s likely Republican primary voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released on Tuesday.
For the Nevada GOP Caucus, Trump’s total vote exceeded the entire Nevada GOP vote in 2012.