BILLIONAIRES THAT SUPPORT TRUMP!

A cadre of billionaire donors have lined up behind Donald Trump’s presidential campaign as he drops his claim that he is self-funding his White House run.

Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson is said to be ready to spend more than $US100 million ($137m) to support Mr Trump while energy tycoon T Boone Pickens has also backed the presumptive Republican nominee.

“I’m tired of having politicians as president of the US,” Mr Pickens, 87, said. He appeared to suggest that his advanced age made a gamble on a political newcomer more palatable.

“I’m ready to take a chance on it,” he said. “And just in case it’s a mistake, I’ll be gone.”

Mr Trump has also received the backing of Peter Thiel, a Silicon Valley libertarian who is worth an estimated $US3.3 billion.

The support could save Mr Trump from a looming funding crisis. He has raised just $US12m ($16.5m) from outside sources so far — a pittance in an election where both sides were expected to spend more than $US1bn each.

However, the patronage of billionaires may come at a cost. A reliance on a handful of mega-donors could hamper efforts to paint Hillary Clinton, his most likely Democrat opponent, as being in thrall to wealthy benefactors.

Sheldon Adelson is said to be ready to donate $137m to Donald Trump’s campaign. Picture: AP.

Mr Adelson, 82, who is estimated to be worth $US29bn, contributed at least $US98m to Republicans in 2012. Last year he hinted he would back Florida senator Marco Rubio.

At the time Mr Trump, who analysts estimate is worth about $US4bn, claimed the casino boss wanted to make Senator Rubio “his perfect little puppet”. Mr Trump has now changed his tune, describing Mr Adelson’s support as “an incredible honour”.

Mr Pickens’s decision to back Mr Trump also marked a shift in attitude. Last year the oil billionaire appeared to take a swipe at Mr Trump. “We have people running for president now who don’t even have experience running a lemonade stand,” he said.

Separately, Mr Trump suggested Paul Ryan, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, had not called for him to soften his rhetoric when they met last week in Washington. “He wants me to be me,” Mr Trump told The New York Times.

Meanwhile Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, was grilled on television about allegations that Mr Trump had treated women improperly in the past, making unwelcome advances to some. Mr Priebus said: “These are things that he is going to have to answer for.”

The Times