JP Morgan Chase Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon is throwing some shade at Donald Trump, saying today he could bet him in a presidential election and getting in a final dig about the president’s net worth – before walking it all back and saying he wasn’t running in the 2020 race.
Dimon hit Trump where it would hurt as the president is said to be sensitive about his standing in New York City society, how he earned his money, and his intelligence.
“I think I could beat Trump,” Dimon said this at an event held at his bank’s Park Avenue headquarters. “Because I’m as tough as he is, I’m smarter than he is. I would be fine. He could punch me all he wants, it wouldn’t work with me. I’d fight right back.”
He also addressed Trump’s social standing in New York.
“I grew up in a poorer part of Queens than he did, but I am a banker. I am part of the elite,” Dimon said. “I don’t think the American public looks at Trump as part of the elite. They look at him as the upstart who punched the elite in the nose every day.”
And he got in one last dig, noting that he earned his money, unlike Trump, who was given $1 million in startup capitol from his father.
“And by the way this wealthy New Yorker actually earned his money. It wasn’t a gift from Daddy.”
But by this afternoon he was clarifying his comments, sending out a statement saying he wouldn’t run for president.
“I should not have said it. I’m not running for president. Proves I wouldn’t make a good politician. I get frustrated because I want all sides to come together to help solve big problems,” Dimon said.
“Dimon’s statements are reflective of the view held by lots of titans of industry and other very wealthy businesspeople when it comes to Trump,” said Chris Cillizza, CNN’s political editor. “These are people, like Dimon, who know Trump at a professional — and, in some cases, personal — level and remain totally and completely stunned that he was elected president.”