The Republican National Convention may be struggling to make ends meet after a bevy of companies cut their contributions to next week's events, according to a new report.
Politico reported Thursday night that convention organizers had written to billionaires Sheldon and Miriam Adelson asking for $6 million. The letter, which Politico said it had obtained, reportedly acknowledges the event is facing a budget shortfall because more than two dozen companies have bailed on a cumulative $8.1 million in pledges — because of presumptive nominee Donald Trump.
"Over the past couple months, negative publicity around our potential nominee resulted in a considerable number of pledges backing out from their commitments," the letter says, according to Politico. "We would greatly appreciate if you would consider a $6,000,000 contribution to the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee to help us cross the finish line."
The host committee's CEO told CNBC that the letter, provided to by staff after a late-breaking request from Adelson, was not reviewed or authorized by the chairpersons, and that it "mischaracterized certain donations from individuals and corporations."
"Some of what were referred to as pledges were actually expectations based on pledges made to previous conventions, while a handful had been withdrawn from the Host Committee for 2016 Republican National Convention," David Gilbert, CEO of the Cleveland 2016 host committee, said in a statement.
Gilbert said that after Congress decided to pull $18 million for each convention, the committee remains less that $6 million short of its final goal, having raised $58.25 million to date. Gilbert said the committee had reached out to Adelson's staff to apologize.
Representatives for the Adelsons did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Sheldon Adelson, who heads Las Vegas Sands, endorsed Trump in a Washington Post editorial, saying that he'll support his fellow billionaire because the alternative "is frightening."