Billionaire and co-founder of Home Depot, Bernie Marcus publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. He expressed his concern for the current state of America and emphasized the importance of younger individuals taking an active role in politics. Marcus explained that despite his age of 94, he couldn’t simply step away from the political arena due to the critical issues at hand.
In an op-ed featured on RealClearPolitics, Marcus framed the choice for voters from both parties. He advised Democrats to vote for Joe Biden or the Democratic nominee if they believe they are in a better position than three years ago. On the Republican side, Marcus asserted that Donald Trump is likely to secure the nomination: “Let’s face it: Donald Trump is going to win the nomination. You should be doing all you can to ensure his winning the general election.”
Marcus highlighted several pressing concerns facing America. He expressed unease about the insecurity at the U.S.–Mexico border, which has led to a significant influx of migrants in recent years. Additionally, he criticized the education system, noting that educational leaders claim to know better than parents how to raise children. Marcus also pointed out the financial struggles of working-class families who are compelled to tap into their retirement savings to provide for their families. After three years of unfavorable government policies, he concluded that these problems must not become the nation’s legacy.
In explaining his support for President Trump’s candidacy, Marcus emphasized that it was not driven by financial gain. He attributed his success as a co-founder of Home Depot to America’s free enterprise system and pro-jobs growth government policies. He expressed concerns about the country’s current state, including record inflation, excessive government regulation, and the challenges of the past three years, which he believed would hinder his and his partners’ success if they were starting today.
Bernie Marcus’s endorsement of Trump aligns with a growing trend among billionaire GOP donors. Robert Bigelow, another billionaire donor, had initially supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis but later switched his allegiance to President Trump. Bigelow stated that the nation needs a leader who instills fear in adversaries worldwide to protect America’s interests.
Despite his absence from the recent Republican presidential debate, President Trump remains dominant in the GOP field. According to aggregated polls from RealClearPolitics, he enjoys significant support at 58.5%, surpassing Ron DeSantis’ 14.4% and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s 9%. Additionally, a New York Times and Siena College poll indicated that in hypothetical head-to-head matchups, President Trump would defeat President Joe Biden in several battleground states. These states included Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, where President Biden had won in 2020. Only Wisconsin showed President Biden in the lead by a slim margin.
However, the White House responded cautiously to these poll results, urging people to consider them with caution. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the unpredictability of polls and reminded the public of the previous year’s unmaterialized “red wave.”
The poll also highlighted concerns about President Biden’s age, as he would be 86 at the end of his second term if reelected at the age of 80. Approximately 71% of voters agreed that he is “just too old” for the presidency, with around 39% sharing similar concerns about President Trump’s age.
It’s worth noting that despite the poll results, President Trump faces legal challenges, having been indicted in four separate cases in Washington, Georgia, New York, and Florida. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, asserting that they constitute election interference.