Wall Street CEOs including Jamie Dimon denounced political violence and echoed former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s calls for unity following an assassination attempt on Trump over the weekend.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said he was “deeply saddened by the political violence” in a memo to employees on Sunday.
“We must all stand firmly together against any acts of hate, intimidation or violence that seek to undermine our democracy or inflict harm,” Dimon said. “It is only through constructive dialogue that we can tackle our nation’s toughest challenges.”
JPMorgan Chase – the largest US bank – on Friday posted better-than-expected second-quarter results, as did most other major banks.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon echoed Dimon’s sentiments, calling the shooting a “horrible act of violence.”
“We are grateful that he is safe and also want to extend my sincere condolences to the families of those who were tragically killed and severely injured,” Solomon said during an earnings call Monday morning. “It is a sad moment for our country. There’s no place in our politics for violence.”
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said “any form of violence in action or speech has no place in political discourse or engagement” in a letter to his employees.
Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser sent a letter Monday morning to employees calling for calmer political rhetoric.
“I hope these events will cause everyone to think about the words we use and tone down the rhetoric so we can have a more civil discourse,” Fraser said. “There is so much riding on it.”
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink called the assassination attempt “a tragedy.”
“It is a statement of America today, though. We need to create hope,” he told CNBC on Monday. “All of us have a responsibility, every political candidate, every leader, every pastor, minister, rabbi, we all have a responsibility of bringing our community together to bring hope.”
Though major banks do not typically endorse presidential candidates, their employees and affiliates – including individuals and PACs – often donate to presidential campaigns.
Meanwhile, BlackRock – the world’s largest asset manager – pulled a 2022 ad that briefly showed the Pennsylvania rally gunman who shot Trump.
Thomas Matthew Crooks – the 20-year-old who wounded Trump – was in the background of a BlackRock ad. The ad featured a teacher from his school, Bethel Park High School, as well as other students.
The firm said it pulled the ad out of respect for the victims.
Crooks opened fire at a Butler, Pa. rally on Saturday. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear, leaving him bleeding but “fine,” according to his team. He was checked at a local hospital before being released late Saturday. Trump said the doctor told him his survival was a “miracle.”
The gunman shot and killed firefighter Corey Comperatore and wounded other rally goers.
Trump posted on Truth Social that “it is more important than ever that we stand United.” During his remarks from the Oval Office, Biden said, “We’re neighbors or friends, coworkers, citizens. Most importantly, we are fellow Americans, we must stand together.”
