Sony Corp. was asked to donate $1 million for video equipment to Ronald Reagan's presidential library a few days before the former president said he supported that company's takeover of Columbia Pictures Entertainment Corp., according to a report published Saturday.
The Washington Post, citing an anonymous source familiar with the negotiations, said Reagan appeared to have changed his position on foreign ownership of an American movie studio.The former president and his wife, Nancy, were told about the possible contribution from Sony before they left on the trip, said the Post.
Sony, which is not one of those sponsors, has not decided whether to donate to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.
The Reagans have been criticized for their trip, for which they are receiving $2 million from the Japanese corporate sponsors.