Billionaire GOP supporter Ken Langone recently spoke highly of President Trump’s time in office, which is a notable shift from his earlier critique of Trump’s tariffs, labeling them as “Bulls T” just a few months ago.
Langone, who co-founded Home Depot and is the chairman of NYU Langone’s council, had expressed concerns that Trump might focus on retaliation during his presidency. However, he seems relieved that this hasn’t been the case. “He plays the president. I’ve been impressed with the team he has around him,” Langone shared during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Tuesday.
Back in April, Langone criticized the president’s tariffs as “Bulls-T” in a financial interview, worrying that they could exacerbate inflation and contribute to a budget deficit.
Nonetheless, he now sees the “big and beautiful” GOP legislation as fostering significant economic growth, suggesting that tax revenues could rise from this profitability.
Earlier this year, Trump’s stringent “liberation day” tax had spooked investors and led to a significant drop in stock prices. Yet, the market appears to be better positioned now, largely dismissing the latest threats of tariffs, even with Trump hinting at duties as high as 50% on various imports.
Wall Street seems resilient despite the continuous tariff discussions and the implications they carry for investors.
He pointed out that Trump’s action against Iran’s nuclear facility symbolizes a commitment to U.S. interests, stating, “When America is involved, we will act.”
On Tuesday, Langone found himself in a heated exchange with Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old socialist who won the Democratic primary for New York mayor, as they discussed rising anti-Semitism, particularly among younger voters.
He remarked on his confusion regarding the 30% of Jewish voters who backed Mamdani, adding, “What’s going on?”
Mamdani did not renounce the phrase “globalization of intifadas,” which some have interpreted as inciting violence against Jews during the primary campaign.
When faced with questions from influential business leaders in New York, he assured attendees that they would “block” the use of anti-Israel rhetoric.
