The news just keeps getting worse for Ian Reisner.
The New York hotelier and his ex-lover-turned-business-partner, Mati Weiderpass, first came under fire earlier this year when they hosted a dinner for Ted Cruz, the antigay Texas senator running for president.
Related: Why Were AntiGay Crusader Ted Cruz And Gay Hotelier Ian Reisner Hanging Out At Reisner’s Pad?
Afterwards, Reisner claimed the dinner wasn’t a fundraiser and that he didn’t give Cruz any money, telling New York magazine: “There were no checks given. It was nothing like that.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Well, it turns out that was a bunch of Bologna with a capital B.
The New York Times has just learned that Reisner wrote a personal check to Mr. Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign in the amount of $2,700, the maximum allowed by law, right around the time the dinner took place.
Related: Ian Reisner Calls Gay People “Cheap” And “Entitled” While Trying To Defend His Dinner For Ted Cruz
After the story about the dinner broke, Reisner decided it was probably best to cancel the donation, so he called up his buddy Ted to ask for a refund.
“In the interest of transparency,” Reisner told The Times in a statement, “I gave Senator Cruz a $2,700 check to show my support for his work on behalf of Israel.”
(Ian, if you’re reading, you can’t say you’re being “transparent” by admitting you did something after you’ve already been exposed by a major news outlet for doing it.)
Reisner continued: “When I realized his donation could be misconstrued as supporting his anti-gay marriage agenda, I asked for the money back. Senator Cruz’s office gave the money back, and I have no intention of giving any money to any politicians who aren’t in support of L.G.B.T. issues.”
We should hope so.
Related: New York Club Promoter Tells Ian Reisner Not To Blame Gays For His Business Mistakes
According to The Times, as a result of this whole fiasco, Reisner and Weiderpass have become “pariahs in New York City’s gay rights community,” despite making a $20,000 donation to the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association as a goodwill gesture.
NYT chatted with Jon Reinish, a noted Democratic strategist who works with several gay rights causes, who added some additional perspective on the misdeed. “They sat down with a proud enemy of the gay community,” he said. “Ted Cruz legislates on that, he runs on that. It’s one of the foundations of his platform and it’s not just opposition to gay marriage. He’s against basic civil rights and he’s been out there on that from the very beginning.”
Evidently Reisner has yet to learn, money can’t buy forgiveness.
Or class, for that matter.
Michael Spike Vincent
WAIT. Is that how Ian Reisner really look or did someone photo shop his picture to make fun of him?
Glücklich
$2,700 to a presidential campaign? And Reisner accused other gays of being cheap.
Cam
So he has now lied multiple times. Not really much of a shock considering he is the type of person to donate large sums of money to somebody who has the stated goal of wiping out gay rights in the U.S.
And remember, Cruz was on a fundraising swing. To even get him to show up to a dinner they had to promise him a huge amount of money would be raised. That was the whole intent of the evening.
Geo Kas
The extended Bean family?
Will Glitzern
Still cannot fathom how anyone who is gay could talk to Cruz.
McShane
@Glücklich: $2,700 is the maximum individual contribution allowed for a presidential campaign.
“In the interest of transparency, I gave Senator Cruz a $2,700 check to show my support for his work on behalf of Israel,” Mr. Reisner said in a statement he provided after The Times learned of the donation from two people with direct knowledge of it. “When I realized his donation could be misconstrued as supporting his anti-gay marriage agenda, I asked for the money back. Senator Cruz’s office gave the money back, and I have no intention of giving any money to any politicians who aren’t in support of L.G.B.T. issues.”
This guy is such a hot mess.
Glücklich
@McShane:
Hot mess indeed. If you’re gonna give money to a campaign, BUNDLE.
mcflyer54
Reisner would be very well served by simply keeping his mouth shut. A $20K donation to the Fire Islands Pines Property Owners Association is more self-serving than an act of contrition. Seems that a donation of $20K to a charitable service organization that serves the LBGT community would have at least put some money where it is most needed rather than to a group that will use it for groundskeeping and such around the property of the very very wealthy. And, if Ian is so enamored, with Cruz’s work on behalf of Israel to write him a check then why didn’t he acknowledge it in the first place instead of trying to hide it? Curious how all of his gay-centric business ventures are doing since offending most of the NYC’s gay community.
Mark Holbert
Gay republicans are hypocrites. They want economy improved and they want the benefits that everyone else has but they vote for the republicans who actually hate the gay community…
Sean Hellier
@Michael Spike Vincent:
I didn’t realize that the Portrait of Dorian Grey was non-fiction.
Pete
I think Cruz is queer, or rather a ‘degenerate’, just like Joe McCarthy who he more than a little resembles both in looks and manner. He’d join a long list of cretiny conservatives closet-cases including Roy Cohn, Malcolm Forbes, ‘Mary’ Hoover, Rush (who apparently was arrested for ‘loitering’ in a park notorious for cruising in Pittsburgh by the CMU campus in the early 70s). I’m sure Ted’s been to his share of lonely truck-stops.
Some serious investigative reporter needs to get on this case ASAP. I’m surprised Anonymous hasn’t already.
Xzamilio
Sigh… I got nothing for this one. As more comes out, the more heinous this guy gets. NOW I care. Before, it didn’t matter as I just chalked him up to some self-hating conservative freak, but this dude flip flops more than the footwear of the same name. Tried doing the jason smeds/BJ McFrisky thing, but it’s painful being that obtuse to reality. Still, I don’t care what party Reisner affiliates with, as long as he knows that his own interests will never be that of his constituents and will always be used as a platform to stir up the Rabid Red.
BJ McFrisky, even you could understand why gay people would be incensed at this guy for voting for THIS guy, someone who has made opposition to LGBT rights a tradition here in Texas. No, I care about this now.
Xzamilio
@McShane: And to think I was indifferent towards this guy as if he was a non-story. I’m not making that mistake with Reisner ever again… just as dangerous and myopic as the rest of his closed-minded brethren.
Richard
Under Citizens United there is no longer a maximum amount that can be donated to a political campaign. Also under Citizens United, corporations are now considered people and are permitted to drop a load of money on behalf of their favorite candidate. We need to have Citizens United abolished. And we also need to demand to have the growing amount of “Religious Freedom” removed form our politics. Republican politicians, both already elected and running for office, openly voice their hatred for the gay community.
Before Queerty decides not to accept this comment, I ask that you consider reading it through and seeing what this all means to the gay community and why Ted Cruz is far more dangerous than anyone realizes.
Reisner may be a member of the Log Cabin Republicans (wealthy gay Republicans). Perhaps reporters should check that out. Is it possible to confirm that Ted Cruz’ campaign returned the $2,700? How any gay person can be a Republican in this day of their spewing hatred towards us and giving other haters the impression it’s all right to do so, is beyond me.
Ted Cruz is part of a group of Senators who are owned by big money. He is solely behind the government shutdown (which he has openly accused President Obama of being responsible for). Reisner’s support of his campaign should be considered quite shocking to the gay community all over the globe and below I’ll try to explain why.
The gay community needs to become much more attentive to politics right now. We are in a serious state with both the House and Senate run by Republicans who will block any bills the Democratic Senators try to push through. There is a reason to believe that the 1% wealthy billionaires are seeking to overthrow our government. This is not a joke. They are taking the same steps into a fascist-style takeover that Hitler took when forming the Third Reich. The two major players behind this in the United States are Charles and David Koch, owners of the second wealthiest corporation in the United States. They have bought the governors and legislators for all the red states, are bribing the Republicans in D.C. big time for doing “favors” for them, and also joined with at least two Justices seated on the Supreme Court – Scalia and Thomas. Five of the Justices are conservative and will go along with whatever the Republicans or the corporations want. The FBI is also leaning to the far right and so is the Pentagon who is responsible for gifting our police departments with the military gear and protective clothing and gear they wear. Ted Cruz is in the middle of all of this nonsense, as are at least 36 Senators who are aiding and abetting the wealthy in their takeover and, well, screw their constituents.
The only thing holding off the takeover is something Ted Cruz and the Republicans know will clinch the deal. Somehow they have come up with something that makes Obama believe he’s finally reached a bipartisan agreement. It’s called the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Trade Agreement which was mostly composed by Charles and David Koch (BTW, their father was one of the co-authors of the John Birch Society agenda and the Koch Brothers are following that example). The agreement covers twelve nations on the Pacific Rim, including the United States. Citizens of each of those countries are forbidden to know the contents of the agreement but I have seen leaks and what I can say is that we are in big trouble nationwide, not just the gay community, but all Americans in the middle and lower classes. If you want more information and want me to share with you the items that will fill you in, look for me on Facebook and request friendship or PM me. Search for Richard La France on FB.
Cam
@Xzamilio:
It’s interesting to see somebody make a completely logical move “Didn’t care, learned more, now I do.”
You don’t see that often enough online. Thank you.
Cam
And now for something completely bitchy.
You would think with all his money he could have had a better eye job.
KM201
This just gets worse and worse for Ian and Mati. What happens when the Cruz campaign finance report comes out in July and his donation is still there and not refunded? More lies will be exposed. I thought they might be able to redeem themselves at this point, but that opportunity has come and go like night and day; especially since Mati was just associating with Cruz again last night. Their careers are over. There’s no justification for this insanity. None at all whatsoever.
Dave Basora
Cruz looks so gay in that pic
Kangol
@Glücklich: That’s the limit for this stage of the campaign. Any more and Reisner could end up in prison (though he’d probably get off–LOL).
BTW, Queerty, are you going to report the headline news about anti-gay former GOP Speaker of the House Denny Hastert and his payment of hush money to keep a former male sex partner, allegedly an adolescent or minor, quiet?
Let’s not forget that Hastert also is alleged to have helped to cover up former GOP Congressman Mark Foley’s scandal, in which he was flirting with teenage male pages, which led to him getting busted and booted from Congress.
mrrasheed
Reisner is so disingenuous. Not only has he lied several times already but he continues to lie now using his Jewish heritage as an excuse. There are no legitimate presidential hopefuls do do not have good working relationships with Isreal. So this whole idea that he donated to Cruz’ campaign because of his support of Israel is total BS. You cant throw a rock and find a politician that doesnt support Israel.
So to choose one with such an openly homophobic agenda and continue to try and justify his support of Ted Cruz is sad. Clearly he in support of the anti-gay agenda. There are republican hopefuls that are far less anti-gay than Ted Cruz who are also in support of Israel, smaller government, low taxes, and anti-regulation.
mrrasheed
@Richard: Citizens United still has limits on contributions to individual campaigns. It allows unlimited funding of Super Pacs in support of candidates.
Richard
Thanks for correcting me on that. I wasn’t totally sure because I was writing from memory and trying to call my bank at the same time (nightmare). Yes, the donors to the Super Pacs are secret as well, aren’t they? There are too many secrets going on these days with the Republican Party and their wealthy pals.
Pete
@Will Glitzern: Well if you met him in a public restroom you might start by saying “what are you into?”
Kieran
Cruz is such an unapologetic homophobe, a gay man donating to him is analogous to a Jew donating to the Elect Adolf Hitler campaign of 1933.
SteveDenver
In the interest of transparency, we see right through Riesner. He’s a lying bitch.
Bob LaBlah
As many readers this site has I wonder why I am the only one who questions why these two degenerates weren’t “called out” by their fellow New Yorkers for ignoring the struggling Gay Center down on 13th street. Have we (as in those who live/lived in NYC) forgotten about all the good that center has/does do for the gay community? I have said before and will say again the Fire Island crowd and its members who have, in my opinion, Fire Island money to burn, laugh all summer long fleecing the poor ass queens who know damn well they are out of their league but continue to go to the place supporting it with their dollars in the sense of “keeping up with the Joneses.” Get real folks.
I still keep my yearly membership with the Center even though sky high ass rents chased me out of NYC and back home to the southern part of the midwest. It’s only $25 per year and I know they need the money. These two really need to be……..well hey, they made their money and, whether I/you like it or not they are entitled to give to whom ever they wish. No doubt in the eyes of these two and many others who have settled down in the suburbs with their husband/wife we are the new….
Bob LaBlah
@Kieran: What’s even more ironic is how Hitler would have NEVER come to power were it not for Ernst Rhome. For those of you who never heard of ol’ Ernst I strongly urge you to google him and NUMEROUS other gay Nazis, many of who were senior officers in the German army and weren’t “exactly” closeted either. I am beyond being shocked at the actions of gay people anywhere.
I am going with my feelings in saying Cruz will be finished by July. Having to accept money for gays is a strong indication he is NOT getting much support from my fellow hillbillies from down here and since they too have heard about this the Tea Party lost souls as well.
McShane
@Cam:
This. 1000x. This. Like Gia Gunn and her wonky ass eyelash. ABSOLUTELY…
billywonka
Reisner = cheap and stupid. Cruz = worthless Cuban-Canadian.
Paul Castilonia
That is some aged plastic surgery
Cagnazzo82
This is like a couple steps away from a black guy donating to klan members, or a jewish guy donating to neo-nazis.
Actually it might be the equivalent.
No sane gay person could rationally donate to a party who’s stated goal it is to tear gay families/couples apart.
Perhaps Ian Reisner is also a masochist.
Desert Boy
Ian Reisner is a pig. A pox on his house.
jwtraveler
@Cagnazzo82: No, this is a rich guy giving money to a politician who he hopes will help him get richer. He’s far from unique. His being gay is irrelevant.
Giancarlo85
@Mark Holbert: Too bad republicans are total shit for the economy so they are misguided many times over. Why do gay republicans always cite the economy? Since the Nixon administration, republicans have been disastrous for the ecconomy.
Creamsicle
How does anyone get within arm’s length of Ted Cruz? His face is so fucking punchable that it drives me nuts. The fact that he’s even dumber than he is ugly is almost impressive.
BJ McFrisky
@Xzamilio: Do I understand why gays shouldn’t vote for Cruz? Shit, I understand why NO ONE should vote for this power-hungry nobody.
But what I don’t understand is why gay men believe the ultimate insult they can hurl at an enemy is to claim he’s gay. I mean, people on this site frequently call me a “self-loather” because I don’t adhere to the Gay Playbook, but Jesus Christ, what does it say when someone says, “He’s so horrible, he must be just like me” ??
Bauhaus
@BJ McFrisky:
You adhere to the anti-gay playbook. That’s why people call you out. You defend the indefensible. Are you horrible? Only you can answer that question. I’d say you’re annoyingly contrary, intentionally combative, and your compulsion to not be “gay”, is exhausting.
Cagnazzo82
@Giancarlo85: Agreed.
Republican economic policies consistently lead to disastrous results. And they in turn consistently point the finger of blame at others.
That’s essentially the only thing republicans have contributed to this country in the past 40 years. And that’s even before we get to the issue of social conservative insanity/nonsense.
The notion of voting for republicans due to economic or financial concerns is so inherently fallacious on so many levels, I’m honestly past the point of seriously entertaining it.
There is no excuse why a gay person should support this useless republican party currently sitting in Washington.
tjr101
@BJ McFrisky: You don’t adhere to the “Gay Playbook” but you most certainly adhere to the right-wing, conservative bigot playbook. You notoriously pop-up and defend every right-winger to the hilt while trying to take cheap shots at President Obama and Hillary. You’re ashamed of calling yourself what everyone else knows you to be, a gay republican. When presented with facts you go silent…
tjr101
@Giancarlo85: Republicans jerk off to Reagan and Reaganomics which has been quite successful at robbing the American middle class.
Maude
@Pete:
Though I wish it were so, I don’t believe a word without absolute proof.
Spreading rumor, especially false rumor is as anti-conclusive as is the “shit on a shingle” idiocy of ‘he can’t be gay, he’s married’, or ‘he’s a priest’@jwtraveler: , etc.
Giancarlo85
@Cagnazzo82: The most recent evidence of that shit policy was in 2008. These republicans just want to put it under the carpet. Reaganomics was total shit for this country and led to the total destruction of the middle class (I agree with you TJR). People like McFrisky don’t care about the country or the middle class… they care about making the rich more rich.
Frisky is a bigot and not a very good one at that.
BJ McFrisky
@Bauhaus: Ya see, that’s the diff between you and me, Bowhouse. You’re angry, catty and judgmental, while I’m open-minded and agreeable and willing to listen to all points of view. Even yours.
Get well soon.
Maude
@Maude: @Pete:
Though I wish it were so, I don’t believe a word without absolute proof.
Spreading rumor, especially false rumor is as anti-conclusive as is the “shit on a shingle” idiocy of ‘he can’t be gay, he’s married’, or ‘he’s a priest’, etc.
BJ McFrisky
@tjr101: I resent your statement that my shots at Hillary and Obama are cheap. I paid some angry conservatives damn good money for those shots.
ps – Don’t bother saying hello in the elevator on Monday.
tjr101
@BJ McFrisky: Humor isn’t for conservatives but nice try.
Giancarlo85
@BJ McFrisky: Yes they are cheap and garbage. You have no evidence for anything you say and you spout off crap. You have no support for your stupidity.
BJ McFrisky
@tjr101: Lucky for me I’m not a conservative, then.
Bob LaBlah
@Cagnazzo82: It was also republican policy that gave us the prison industry. It is disturbing to think just how many communities across the nation would collapse if the local prison closed and the jobs they provide are no longer there to support the community. Wal-Mart can only do so much but rest assured where there is a prison, there is a Wal-Mart nearby to take the guards money. The husband works at the prison while the wife works at Wal-Mart. It’s now the rural American way of life in many places.
Timothy Grover
Really creepy photos you have there!
Cam
@BJ McFrisky: What a shock, BJ comes on here to deflect attention from the fact that Reisner donated money to support a bigoted anti-gay politician.