Trump Met With Red Rock Bosses Frank, Lorenzo Fertitta in Las Vegas

Posted on: January 31, 2024, 03:47h. 

Last updated on: February 3, 2024, 12:39h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

During a visit to Las Vegas last Saturday, former President and GOP front-runner Donald Trump reportedly met with several well-heeled Republican donors, including Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta of Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ: RRR).

Culinary Union Fertitta brothers Las Vegas casinos
Lorenzo (left) and Frank Fertitta III. The Fertitta brothers reportedly met with former President Trump in Las Vegas last week and will contribute to his 2024 campaign. (Image: Getty)

Citing unidentified sources with knowledge of the matter, Politico reported the Fertittas, along with Don Ahern and Robert Bigelow, committed to donating to Trump’s 2024 presidential bid. The publication didn’t reveal how much those donors are contributing. Ahern is a Nevada resident who made his fortune in the equipment rental business.

Red Rock Chairman and CEO Frank Fertitta III and his brother, Vice Chairman Lorenzo, are longtime donors to Republican candidates. That’s something that’s long drawn the ire of the Culinary Union. That union and others representing Nevada casino workers greatly support Democrat candidates.

In the 2022 midterm election, the Culinary Union didn’t endorse any Republican candidates. But the labor group eagerly campaigned for, contributed to, and endorsed congressional Democrats in Nevada who supported policies that could burden union members. For example, there’s speculation that adding tens of thousands of new IRS agents — a policy supported by Democrats in Nevada’s congressional delegation — could be harmful to workers who rely on tips to supplement their incomes.

Fertitta/Trump Ties

The Fertittas aren’t new Trump supporters, but their cash for the 2024 race is meaningful. It could signal that with the GOP primary field all but cleared, more donors from the business community are increasingly comfortable with the former president becoming the next president.

As of mid-2023, the Fertittas have donated $5.23 million to various Trump-affiliated campaign entities since 2016, with one family member contributing $207K to the Trump Inaugural Committee following the 2016 election.

Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta derive a significant portion of their wealth from the UFC. They acquired the mixed martial arts series for $2 million in 2001 and sold it in 2016 for $4 billion.

Speaking of the UFC, Trump has a long-standing relationship with President Dana White. The two met at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa last July before attending “UFC 290” at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip. Several UFC fighters and throngs of fans are overt Trump supporters.

Gaming Showing Support for Trump

In addition to the Fertittas reportedly opening their checkbooks for Trump, former Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) CEO Steve Wynn was spotted at Trump’s New Hampshire primary victory party earlier this month. On Tuesday night, Trump held a fundraiser at the home of hedge fund manager John Paulson, who has previously invested in gaming equities.

Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta, a relative of Frank and Lorenzo, has previously supported Trump, though it remains to be seen to what extent, if any, he’ll do so this year.

As things stand today in casino industry campaign contributions, the “prize” remains Dr. Miriam Adelson. The largest individual shareholder in Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) received the presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump and has spoken glowingly of the former president. But she has yet to declare the extent of her financial support for his 2024 campaign.