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RNC sees big difference between Steve Wynn and Harvey Weinstein, who didn't donate to them

The RNC appears to have a double standard when it comes to donations to political parties from men accused of sexual misconduct.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) appears to have a double standard when it comes to donations to political parties from men accused of sexual misconduct.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said Tuesday the RNC wouldn’t return donations from billionaire casino mogul Steve Wynn, who served as the party's finance chair until just a few days ago. He resigned on Saturday after allegations from dozens of people that he’s sexually harassed his female employees for decades.

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“Steve has denied these allegations; unlike Harvey Weinstein and Al Franken and others, Steve has denied them," McDaniel told Fox News on Tuesday. "There is an investigation that's going to take place. He should be allowed due process, and if he is found guilty of any wrongdoing, we will absolutely return 100 percent of that money.”

McDaniel, however, didn’t wait for an investigation before calling on the DNC to return donations after the first allegations against Harvey Weinstein were reported, which Weinstein did, in fact, partially deny.

“If Democrats and the DNC truly stand up for women like they say they do, then returning this dirty money should be a no brainer,” she said in a statement the day the first allegations against Weinstein were reported. Since 2000, Weinstein has donated and helped raise more than $2 million to Democrats.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Wynn, who’s given over $1.5 million to the GOP in the last five years, had forced himself on and exposed himself to multiple women. His treatment of female employees was so bad they reportedly put fake appointments on their calendars to avoid him. Wynn, however, denied the allegations but said he resigned to prevent further “distraction” for the party.

The board at Wynn Resorts, Wynn’s company, announced last week it was forming a committee to investigate the allegations, and the Republican Governor’s Association decided Monday to give back $100,000 in donations from Wynn Resorts.

Cover image: Steve Wynn, CEO of Wynn Palace speaks during a press conference in Macau, China, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)