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JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has privately backed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, a New York Times investigation has revealed.
Until now, the chief executive has remained quite about his stance because he was reported to be afraid Donald Trump would retaliate against people and companies.
During an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Dimon faced backlash after he said Trump had been ‘kind of right’ about some economic issues, such as tax cuts.
The New York Times reported that Dimon tried to defend his statement by saying it reflected his respect for Americans who voted for the former president.
He was later forced to publicly deny that he had endorsed Trump.
‘I’m not endorsing anyone at this time. I spend more of my time on policy. What’s the policy we need that can really help both the world, foreign policy, and domestically?’, Dimon said via a spokesperson at the time.
Dimon also reprotley told his associates that he considers Trump’s 2020 election denialism close to a disqualifying factor.
The Daily Mail reported:
Dimon, who has been chief of the largest bank in the US for nearly two decades, has typically been vocal on many topics – including immigration and economic inequality.
Both the Trump and Harris campaigns have reportedly sought Dimon’s public support. But neither responded to the New York Times’ requests for comment.
In 2012, Dimon had a dispute with Harris, then attorney general of California, amid negotiations with a group of states over big bank foreclosure abuses. Harris later recounted in her autobiography that the pair were like ‘dogs in a fight.’
But she has reportedly called him this summer to hear his views on issues such as economic inequality.
Two anonymous people told the New York Times that Dimon has also flirted with the idea of running for office himself – reportedly discussing it with JPMorgan subordinates and family members.
In private conversations with executives supportive of Harris, he has allegedly said that he has a duty to JPMorgan shareholders to protect the company from potential political retaliation, two people told the outlet.
“With Jamie, it’s interesting because he styles himself as a major leader transcending his own business needs,’” Robert Reich, former secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, told the New York Times.
“If he were really concerned about the nation and all of the values that he says he’s concerned about, not only would he not be supporting Trump – he’d be vocally and angrily and with all of his might making sure that Trump did not get another crack at the White House.”
Joseph Evangelisti, a JPMorgan spokesman, said the chief executive “has never publicly endorsed a presidential candidate, but he speaks out forcefully and often on policies to help strengthen our country and lift up communities.
“‘His comments are often weaponized by the left or right when he weighs in on politics or politicians, which is not constructive to helping solve our country’s biggest problems.”
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