Ken Langone – co-founder of billionaire Home Depot and a Republican megadonor – said he felt “betrayed” by President Trump after last week’s siege of the Capitol.
Langone criticized Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and pledged to help President-elect Joe Biden “be the best president I’ve ever had.”
“I feel betrayed,” Langone told CNBC in an interview Wednesday. “… Last Wednesday was a shame, it should never have happened in this country and, if it does not break the heart of every American, something is wrong. It certainly breaks my heart. I didn’t sign up for that. ”
Langone is a prolific donor to GOP candidates – he and his wife, Elaine, have made nearly $ 517,000 in political contributions in the past two years, of which $ 496,500 went to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsible Policies.
The 85-year-old financier reportedly supported some of Trump’s economic policies, such as his tariffs on China, and made a $ 2,700 donation for the president’s 2016 campaign, federal records show.
But he suggested the Capitol insurgents made a mistake in trying to stop Biden from taking office by disrupting the counting of congressional election votes last week.
“Going through the judiciary to try to get some results – it’s exhausted, it’s over,” Langone told CNBC.
“I feel that those people who sought to stop the trial were ill-advised,” he added.
Asked if Trump should be indicted – a step the House was taking on Wednesday – Langone said directly, “I don’t care.”
“All I care about is one thing: January 20, Joe Biden will be sworn in as president and I will work with my ass in every way I can because I win – if he is a very successful president, we all win,” he said. said.