In a surprising twist, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has thrown his support behind GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, urging even liberal Democrats to consider her as an alternative to front-runner Donald Trump. Dimon’s endorsement, part of a growing trend among Wall Street executives, has ignited a debate within the GOP primaries.
“If you’re a very liberal Democrat, I urge you to help Nikki Haley, too. Give them a choice on the Republican side that might be better than Trump,” remarked Dimon at the 2023 DealBook Summit, according to Politico.
Haley, gaining momentum in recent GOP primary polls, has surpassed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire and her home state of South Carolina. She has also drawn level with DeSantis in some Iowa polls, setting the stage for a competitive primary race.
The influential Americans for Prosperity Action, associated with the Koch Brothers’ conservative network, has added to Haley’s momentum by endorsing her. The group has pledged substantial financial support and grassroots mobilization to propel the GOP past Trump.
Despite the increasing support for Haley, her critics argue that these endorsements from Wall Street and conservative networks could be a double-edged sword, questioning her conservative credentials. The “DeSantis War Room” on X, formerly known as Twitter, questioned the support, linking to a video highlighting what they portrayed as Haley’s liberal positions on immigration, fuel taxes, and social media restrictions.
“Wondering why Wall Street execs, Blackrock, and the Koch Network are all supporting Nikki Haley?” they posted.
In response, Team Trump on X labeled Haley as “Birdbrain” and criticized Dimon’s endorsement, emphasizing the skepticism within the GOP toward big business support.
As the GOP primary unfolds, the divide between those rallying behind Haley as a viable alternative to Trump and those scrutinizing her endorsements intensifies. With Trump’s court cases looming, the prospect of Haley emerging as a formidable contender adds a layer of intrigue to the evolving political landscape.
