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Column: Wynn's Art Purchases Overshadow Trump Truce

LAS VEGAS -- Before returning with $40 million worth of masterpieces by Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, megaresort developer Steve Wynn made side trips to Paris and Dublin in his private jet.

In Dublin, he met with Bono, U2's frontman. "It wasn't business," Wynn insisted. But his words probably won't chill speculation that he could have the Irish supergroup in mind for Le Reve's opening-night gala.

In Paris, Wynn was checking out nightclubs for Le Reve, which is due to open in early 2005.

But back to his stunning art purchases for his private collection. Overshadowed by Wynn's acquisition of Cézanne's self-portrait for $17.3 million and Renoir's "In the Roses (Madame Leon Clapisson)" for $23.5 million, counting commissions, was the sighting of Donald Trump and Wynn hanging out together.

Proof that a truce has been called in their once-acrimonious and litigious relationship (Trump suggested Wynn had psychological problems a couple years ago), the two business titans sat together in a private box at Christie's auction house, where Wynn did his bidding by telephone. Trump told Wynn it was his first art auction.

Fear and Love-in

Hunter S. Thompson's honeymoon in Las Vegas next month will include a starring role in the CineVegas International Film Festival.

The infamous gonzo journalist, author of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," will attend the June 21 world premiere of "Breakfast with Hunter," a feature-length documentary about the counterculture icon.

Earlier that day, Dennis Hopper is scheduled to receive a lifetime achievement award. His 1971 film, "The Last Movie," will be screened the night before at 7 p.m. at the Palms' Brenden Theatre, site of the eight-day festival.

The Scene and Heard

Studio 54's Thursday debut of "Dollhouse," a weekly theme night at the MGM Grand nightclub, saw four models, two females and two males, change into whatever tickled the fancy of VIP patrons. A bachelorette group had one of the males wear a tux with short shorts. The female models, with 50 outfits to choose from a red closet placed in the middle of the VIP section, dressed as nurses, a dominatrix and a cabdriver, although I personally don't know any fashionista cabbies with checkered short shorts. ...

Elton John and Billy Joel, I hear, will headline the eighth annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children, set for Oct. 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Joining them: Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Faith Hill, Robin Williams and Dennis Miller. ...

Charo's still pulling in crowds at Sevilla, the cash-strapped Spanish nightclub at Desert Passage, but the battle for control of the club, which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is getting nastier. Only one bartender and one cocktail server were on duty Friday for a crowd of 200. Meantime, Charo's continuing to pay her troupe out of her own pocket until a judge determines on May 19 whether she can take over the club on a four-walling arrangement.

Sightings

Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, dancing up a storm at Light (Bellagio) with friends Friday. ... Dylan McDermott, who stars in "The Practice," at the Palms' ghostbar Friday. Also there: Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik. ... Singer Josh Groban, taking in the Smokey Robinson concert Friday at Paris. ... Thursday night: Jim Boeheim, coach of Syracuse's national championship basketball team, at Emeril's (MGM Grand) with his wife; Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton, on his night off, watching the band Joelle at Whiskey Bar (Green Valley Ranch). His lead magician's dancer, Joelle Jensen, has her own band. ... Former "Saturday Night Live" star Norm McDonald, at Andre-Philippe Gagnon's show at Paris. ... Mike Tyson, spotted in South Beach, Fla., last week handing out $1,500 in singles to "perplexed passers-by," according to the New York Post.

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