On Wednesday, Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot, blasted critics who slammed him for openly stating he would vote for President Trump in 2020. Marcus wrote in a Facebook post that he had been enjoying celebrating his 90th birthday and the $117 million raised to honor him that was donated to four charities when he heard about the rampant criticism of him for the report he was supporting Trump. He wrote on Facebook, “Am I in China? Argentina? Russia? That’s what it feels like to me. It saddens me that our country has come to this, where I, as a private citizen, cannot express my feelings. It angers me and it saddens me, but it sure as hell is not going to stop me. If you thought it would, you’ve got the wrong guy.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution had published an interview with Marcus on June 30 in which they noted that Marcus had donated roughly $250 million to build the Georgia Aquarium and millions for an autistic center in Atlanta. AJC reported, “Marcus told the AJC that he plans to support the president’s re-election bid.”
That comment triggered anti-Trump partisans to attack Marcus on Twitter, calling for a boycott of Home Depot. Forbes reported that Marcus has said he has donated over $2 billion to charitable organizations around the world; Forbes added, “It’s estimated he could give away over $6 billion in his lifetime.” Marcus had told AJC, “Everything I live for now is finding the right things to put my money into and that can give me a rate of return in emotion and doing good things for this world.”
The complete text of Marcus’ Facebook post read:
I woke up this morning thinking it was going to be another great day. I’ve been celebrating with friends, family and the community since I turned 90. I’ve told you about the gracious gift of $117 million that was collected and given in my honor to four charities that mean a lot to me. All that happiness blew up because I said in a newspaper interview that I have supported and will continue to support Donald Trump.
Boom!
Negative stories… vicious threats, without cause, to boycott the company that has enabled my foundation to give billions to support autism, medical research, education, heart and neurological issues like stroke, and to help our veterans. The company that I retired from in 2002 and have not had a business relationship with in almost 20 years. A company that has employed more than a half-million people. The people who work there are affiliated with both political parties or no party at all. They are of all religions and all colors and backgrounds. Why would people want to hurt them?
All because I give my voice and some of my money to our President. Am I in China? Argentina? Russia? That’s what it feels like to me.
It saddens me that our country has come to this, where I, as a private citizen, cannot express my feelings. It angers me and it saddens me, but it sure as hell is not going to stop me. If you thought it would, you’ve got the wrong guy.
In the next ten years, God willing, I will accomplish more to save this world than my critics will do even if they had forty lifetimes.