During a recent address, former President Donald Trump made a startling claim: that a billionaire Israeli-American doctor named Miriam Adelson had more access to the White House than almost anyone he could think of. While most people have never heard her name, her influence, backed by a fortune of over $30 billion, stretches from Tel Aviv to Washington, D.C.
Adelson’s money and strategic vision have been a driving force behind some of the most controversial U.S. foreign policy decisions in recent history, including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. She is a figure who has never appeared on a ballot, yet her impact on geopolitics is undeniable.
While she is a billionaire with significant impact, she often works quietly, away from the public spotlight. So, who is she, and what is the story behind her rise to power? Let’s explore the journey of the woman helping to shape policy in the United States.
Who is Miriam Adelson? From Physician to Political Powerhouse
Born in 1945 in what was then Mandatory Palestine, Miriam Adelson (née Farbstein) trained as a physician, specialising in addiction treatment. For much of her life, she operated behind the scenes, a quiet but influential partner to her husband, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. However, those close to the couple have noted that she was always the strategist—the one with the deep-seated conviction that shaped their shared political vision.
In 1991, she married Sheldon, the founder of the Las Vegas Sands empire. Following his death in 2021, Miriam assumed full control of their vast fortune, which includes casinos in the U.S. and Asia and is currently estimated to be worth over $30 billion, according to the Forbes Billionaires Index.
.
This immense wealth, built in an industry that profits from high-stakes risk, has become a powerful tool for political influence in both Washington and Tel Aviv.
The Adelson Playbook: How Money Shapes Policy
Miriam and Sheldon Adelson quickly became a pillar of conservative power, using their fortune to advance right-wing agendas in both the United States and Israel. Their strategy is a masterclass in modern political influence, combining massive financial contributions with direct lobbying for specific policy outcomes.
The Republican Party’s Biggest Donors
Throughout the 2010s, the Adelsons cemented their status as the Republican Party’s most significant financial backers. Their contributions are staggering:
- Over $600 million poured into Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns and other Republican causes.
- A single donation of $95 million from Miriam Adelson to support Trump’s 2024 campaign.
- Total contributions from Miriam alone have surpassed $100 million in recent cycles, according to data from the Centre for Responsive Politics.
This unwavering financial loyalty did not go unnoticed. In 2018, President Trump awarded both Miriam and Sheldon the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
“I actually asked her once. I said, ‘So Miriam, I know you love Israel. What do you love more, the United States or Israel?’ She refused to answer. That means that might mean Israel.” – Donald Trump
A Return on Investment: Key Policy Shifts
The Adelsons’ donations were not just for general support; they came with clear expectations. Their influence is directly linked to several major shifts in U.S. foreign policy that defied decades of international consensus:
- Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem: The Adelsons were a primary force pushing Trump to officially recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv—a move that upended longstanding U.S. policy and international law.
- Recognising the Golan Heights: They successfully lobbied the Trump administration to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Syrian Golan Heights, a territory the U.S. and the international community had long considered illegally occupied.
These were not minor adjustments but seismic shifts in geopolitics—favours purchased with hundreds of millions in campaign dollars.
More Than Money: Controlling the Narrative
Miriam Adelson’s influence extends beyond direct political donations. She leverages her wealth to shape public opinion and support ideological projects that align with her vision for Israel.
Media Ownership and Influence
Adelson owns Israel Hayom, Israel’s most widely circulated newspaper. For years, the publication has served as a powerful megaphone for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a right-wing, Zionist worldview. By controlling a major media outlet, she can frame public discourse and dictate what is considered an acceptable perspective on Israel.
Philanthropy with a Political Agenda
The Adelsons’ philanthropic efforts are also strategically aligned with their political goals:
- Birthright Israel: They have donated half a billion dollars to this organisation, which provides free trips to Israel for young Jewish people. Critics argue the program presents a romanticised, one-sided narrative that whitewashes the realities of the occupation.
- Ariel University: They funnelled $25 million into this institution, which is controversially built inside an illegal settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
When pro-Palestinian student protests erupted on U.S. campuses, Adelson dismissed them as “ghastly gatherings of radical Muslims and agitators,” reinforcing her hardline stance.
What Adelson’s Power Means for Democracy
The story of Miriam Adelson is a stark reminder of the immense power that unelected, ultra-wealthy individuals can wield in a democracy. While voters cast their ballots, billionaire donors like Adelson can purchase direct access to presidents and prime ministers, effectively bypassing the democratic process to achieve their personal and ideological goals.
Her loyalty, as her late husband once articulated, is to a specific Zionist vision. Sheldon Adelson famously stated he regretted serving in the U.S. Army and wished he had fought for Israel instead. This “Israel-first” approach, funded by a casino fortune, is now being sold to the American public as patriotic policy.
Key Takeaways for Voters and Citizens:
- Follow the Money: Understanding who funds political campaigns is crucial to understanding the motivations behind policy decisions.
- Look Beyond the Headlines: Major foreign policy shifts are often influenced by powerful interests operating behind the scenes.
- Question the Narrative: Be aware of how media outlets and philanthropic organisations can be used to promote a specific political agenda.
The Unseen Hand in Global Politics
Miriam Adelson may never hold public office, but her influence is felt in the halls of power from the White House to the Knesset. Through a strategic combination of immense wealth, media control, and unwavering lobbying, she has successfully shaped U.S. foreign policy to align with her hardline vision for Israel.
When major announcements about U.S. policy in the Middle East hit the headlines, it’s natural to focus on the elected officials and public handshakes.
However, it’s also important to understand the significant influence wielded by figures working behind the scenes. Miriam Adelson is a powerful example of this. Her story offers a clear look at how personal wealth and political access can intersect to shape international policy.
Ultimately, her journey is a testament to the profound impact that unelected individuals can have, reminding us that the full picture of politics is often more complex than what we see on the news.