Who stans Traci Park? A glimpse into the eccentric world of billionaire donors

Councilmember Traci Park’s campaign finance records have long raised eyebrows, but her connection to casino billionaire Steve Wynn and his family adds a new layer of intrigue—and raises serious questions about the kind of influence shaping her political career. Park’s ties to the Wynn family, particularly Steve Wynn’s daughter Gillian Wynn, reveal a web of wealth, eccentricity, and privilege that stands in stark contrast to the struggles of everyday Angelenos.

The Wynn Connection

Steve Wynn, the disgraced casino mogul and former CEO of Wynn Resorts, is no stranger to controversy. His career has been marred by allegations of sexual misconduct and exploitative business practices, yet his wealth and influence continue to loom large in elite circles. Wynn’s ex-wife, Elaine Wynn, sits on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and several other high-profile organizations, wielding significant cultural and financial power in the city.

Enter Gillian Wynn, Steve and Elaine’s daughter, who has carved out her own niche as an interior designer and Park campaign donor. Gillian’s contributions to Traci Park’s campaign might seem like standard political support, but a closer look at her lifestyle and idiosyncrasies paints a picture of someone far removed from the realities of most Angelenos.

Gillian Wynn’s Eccentric World

Gillian Wynn’s home, featured in a DesignSetter article, is a testament to her extravagant tastes and peculiar sensibilities. The Palms Residence, designed by Olson Kundig, boasts a wall of mechanized Indonesian gamelan bells that play tunes while residents practice yoga. This bizarre feature, described as a “kinetic art installation,” is emblematic of a lifestyle defined by excess and eccentricity.

The article gushes over the home’s “playful” and “whimsical” design, but for most Angelenos, it’s a stark reminder of the vast gulf between the ultra-wealthy and the working class. While families in Park’s district struggle with rising rents, wildfire displacement, and inadequate public services, Gillian Wynn’s mechanized bells and yoga retreats epitomize a world of privilege that is utterly disconnected from the challenges facing the city.

What Does This Say About Traci Park?

Traci Park’s acceptance of donations from Gillian Wynn—and by extension, her alignment with the Wynn family’s wealth and influence—raises serious questions about her priorities. The Wynn family represents the epitome of corporate power and elite privilege, values that are fundamentally at odds with the needs of Park’s constituents.

Park’s ties to the Wynns are particularly troubling given her record of siding with wealthy interests over everyday Angelenos. From her opposition to tenant protections to her reluctance to address climate change, Park has consistently demonstrated that her loyalties lie with the powerful, not the people. Her connection to the Wynn family is just the latest example of this pattern.

A Pattern of Problematic Donors

Gillian Wynn isn’t the only questionable donor in Park’s orbit. From real estate moguls to corporate developers, Park’s campaign coffers are filled with contributions from individuals and entities that have little interest in the well-being of regular Angelenos. These connections underscore a troubling reality: Traci Park is beholden to a network of wealthy, eccentric, and out-of-touch donors who are more concerned with preserving their privilege than addressing the city’s most pressing issues.

As Los Angeles faces ongoing challenges—from wildfire recovery to housing affordability—we need leaders who are grounded in the realities of everyday life, not those who are swayed by the mechanized bells and yoga retreats of the elite. Traci Park’s connections to the Wynn family are a stark reminder of whose interests she truly serves—and it’s not the people of Los Angeles.