Home Depot founder and GOP megadonor Bernie Marcus has slammed Joe Biden, revealing he turned his back on Donald Trump because the former president “can’t keep his mouth shut.”
The 94-year-old retail giant told the New York Post that Biden is an “idiot” and “the most divisive president we’ve ever seen,” blaming him for many of America’s problems.
He also backed claims that the 80-year-old Biden – the oldest president in US history – was mentally unfit for top office and even claimed he could be a “puppet” mouthpiece for others within the Democratic Party.
“Someone is feeding him like a puppet,” the businessman told the Post, adding that America would become “a third world country” if Biden were re-elected.
FEC data shows the 94-year-old billionaire has poured $64 million into Republican campaigns over the years, including Trump’s run for the White House in 2016 – but he admitted he is now “struggling.” , getting behind many of his former political favorites.
As a series of legal cases against Trump unfold, he often risks violating confidentiality by lashing out at judges and prosecutors in public speeches and Truth Social posts.
Marcus, who has also bankrolled the second-to-last president’s current rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in the past, told the New York Post he liked Trump’s policies but wished he would “just follow the script.”
Home Depot founder and GOP mega-donor Bernie Marcus (pictured) has revealed he turned his back on Donald Trump because he ‘can’t keep his mouth shut’
As a series of legal cases against Trump unfold, the second-to-last president often risks violating the gag order by lashing out at judges and prosecutors in public speeches and Truth Social posts
Unsurprisingly, he was even more critical of President Joe Biden, calling him an “idiot” and “the most controversial president we’ve ever seen,” while also blaming him for much of America’s problems
Although Marcus is 14 years older than Biden, he told the Post he has a “60-year-old brain” and criticized the president for his apparent lack of mental acuity.
In contrast, during Trump’s time in office, “wages were up, minorities were working, inflation was down,” Marcus said.
But he acknowledged that if Trump were re-elected, “I fear that the first thing he would do is go after his enemies, starting with the Republicans.”
Asked if he would instead consider supporting Trump opponents like DeSantis or former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Marcus said, “I struggle with that.”
‘I find [Trump] has the guidelines if he would just follow the script and do what he needs to do.’
The GOP donor added that he wasn’t sure he could start Home Depot in the current socio-economic climate due to “regulations and all that woke crap” – echoing his FT interview in which he expressed this view earlier this year explained.
Marcus, who founded Home Depot in 1978 with financier Ken Langone and businessman Arthur Blank, had previously attacked the modern generation of business leaders for prioritizing “woke issues” at the expense of shareholders.
Home Depot remains a highly successful retail chain with over 2,300 stores across North America
Home Depot has 2,300 stores across North America, a market capitalization of $300 billion, and annual sales of more than $150 billion
Home Depot CEO Bernie Marcus (left) and Arthur Blank (right) founded their successful company in 1978
The New Jersey-born businessman also took aim at modern office workers, accusing them of being lazy and entitled to short hours. “They want to work three days a week,” he said.
According to the Financial Times, Home Depot has 2,300 stores across North America, a market capitalization of $300 billion, and annual sales of more than $150 billion at the end of 2022.
As ways he gives back, Marcus cites his charity, where he joined the Gates family, and Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge, which promises to donate at least half of his wealth to good causes.
He also supported the construction of the Georgia Aquarium and has donated $2 billion to over 500 organizations through the Marcus Foundation.
The Marcus Foundation has also donated to the areas of military veterans’ autism, stem cells, cancer, stroke and PTSD.