Adelson Says He Will Continue to Pay Employees During Shutdown and Urges Other Employers to Do So

Jewish philanthropist and GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson wrote in an April 1 New York Post op-ed that he will continue to pay all of his employees while his casinos temporarily are shuttered and urged other employers to do the same.

Adelson began his op-ed noting that he was raised in a poor, immigrant household, so he understands the stress that millions of Americans are enduring at the moment as nonessential businesses are being shut down across the country to combat the spread of the coronavirus. He added that despite his family’s financial struggles while he was growing up, his father always set aside money for a charity box because he said, “there is always someone whose need is greater than ours.”

“There are certainly great stories of corporate America doing all it can to support employees’ needs during a time when so many of our fellow Americans have been asked to stand down from their work,” Adelson wrote. “But we employers, especially larger ones, can do more. We should do more.”

He praised President Donald Trump and Congress for the recent $2.2 trillion stimulus bill that provides financial relief for families and businesses adversely affected in the pandemic. However, Adelson noted that it might not be enough if the pandemic is prolonged.

Adelson also praised various Republican and Democrat governors, such Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) for their leadership in handling the crisis. He ended his op-ed on a note of optimism.

“I have seen the perseverance of this country over and over again,” Adelson wrote. “The common thread is that this nation and its people always come together in times of great need. There is no doubting this is one of those times, and the need is great.”

He added: “The coming weeks will be tough, and the months that follow will be unsteady. To my fellow business leaders, let us lead by example. I will gladly participate in an ongoing discussion with each of you on ways we can work together to protect this nation’s workforce.”

On March 30, Jewish Insider reported that Adelson is donating 2 million masks to hospitals in New York and Nevada; 250,000 of those masks will be part of the Trump administration’s initiative in providing aid to medical personnel.