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Trump Names Miriam Adelson in Public Remarks

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 3:33 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Miriam Adelson Meets Trump

Miriam Adelson met U.S. President Donald Trump at a Hanukkah reception in the White House East Room on December 16, 2025.
At Independence Hall a participant asked Adelson what the family wanted back, saying there is no free lunch.
Adelson said she would fight for Israel if endangered and would go to the White House to shout.
President Donald Trump publicly named Adelson, according to the article.

Summary

Adelsons Fund Birthright

The Adelsons funded Birthright’s waiting list, spending $250 million by 2015.
They entered Birthright in 2011 after learning 10,000 young Jews lacked money for trips.
Their financing doubled the waiting list and covered the additional expansion cost.
Adelson philanthropy also supports Ariel University’s medical faculty, Yad Vashem, the IAC, and addiction clinics.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented Miriam Adelson with the Presidential Medal of Honor, where she spoke about hostages.

History

Historical Context

Born from the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey, Birthright Israel launched in 1995 with a $10 million budget from the Jewish Agency and philanthropists Michael Steinhardt and Michael McKenna, offering free 12-day trips to 1,000 young Jews. Massive gifts—Sheldon and Miriam Adelson’s combined $250 million by 2015—expanded capacity to over 45,000 participants annually, tying diaspora engagement to U.S.–Israel political influence.

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Miriam Adelson Meets Trump

Miriam Adelson met U.S. President Donald Trump at a Hanukkah reception in the White House East Room on December 16, 2025.
At Independence Hall a participant asked Adelson what the family wanted back, saying there is no free lunch.
Adelson said she would fight for Israel if endangered and would go to the White House to shout.
President Donald Trump publicly named Adelson, according to the article.

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