October 08, 2016, 04:13 pm
Republican donors in 'state of panic' over Trump
By Jonathan Swan
Republican donors are in a "state of panic" over the leak of a video in which Donald Trump describes women in obscene terms.
Top GOP fundraiser Lisa Spies told The Hill on Saturday that donors are frantically trying to figure out what they can do to set off the crisis roiling the presidential ticket.
"Donors have been in a state of panic over past 12 hours and are trying to figure out what their options are," said Spies, who was a top fundraiser for 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney and is now working to elect Republican Senate candidates.
"The top priority," added Spies in an email, is "not hurting our Senate candidates."
Two of Trump's top fundraisers have spoken to The Hill but neither will air their concerns publicly. Both have acknowledged that the campaign is in a state of crisis, and it's unclear to what extent they will be able to continue hauling in large checks for Trump.
Another Trump fundraiser, Wall Street financier Anthony Scaramucci, has taken to Twitter to defend Trump, though even he says the GOP nominee's lewd comments in the video are "inexcusable."
"I am not a big fan of the super righteous who think they have never said anything stupid," Scaramucci tweeted on Saturday.
"Do remember Winston Churchill?" Scaramucci said. "The man had flaws."
"No one can excuse the statements but they weren't public," he added. "Think for a moment of your worst private moment exposed, then start your judgment."
It's unclear whether Republican mega-donors such as Las Vegas casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson and the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs, will stand by Trump. Representatives for Adelson and the Ricketts family have not responded to emails from The Hill on Saturday.
The reality is, however, that a flight of money at this stage would be the least of Trump's concerns. More worrying for Trump and his allies would be a concerted push behind an alternative candidate.
One of the best connected Republicans in fundraising circles claims such a scenario is unfolding, though others have told The Hill that they cannot fathom how Trump could possibly be replaced at this late hour.
Bloomberg Politics' Mark Halperin quotes former top Romney fundraiser, Spencer Zwick, as saying: "Major donors are pulling support from Donald Trump and are now looking to fund an effort to back someone else as the Republican nominee."
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/300025-republican-donors-in-state-of-panic-over-trump
