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CEOs scared of ‘retribution’ from Trump, former Amex CEO

CEOs scared of 'retribution' from Trump, former Amex CEO


CEOs have been forced to swallow their tongues when discussing former president Donald Trump because they’re afraid he might retaliate against them, according to former American Express CEO Ken Chenault.

“The fear is real,” Chenault told Bloomberg in a lengthy article detailing Trump’s economic policies. 

Chenault, who is now the chairman of venture capital firm General Catalyst, alleged corporate leaders were afraid Trump would hit back at them if they said anything negative about him. 

“People are staying on the sidelines because they greatly fear that there will be retribution,” Chenault said. 

Chenault did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for General Catalyst said Chenault was speaking as a private citizen. “General Catalyst does not endorse any presidential candidate,” they said in an emailed statement. “As a company, we will work with any presidential administration.”

Over the course of the presidential campaign Trump has repeatedly stated he would look to strike back at adversaries should he win the White House. On several occasions he has used the word “retribution,” just as Chenault did. In an interview with the television host Dr. Phil, shortly after he was convicted of 34 felony counts over financial fraud his 2016 campaign committed in connection to hush money payments made to the pornstar Stormy Daniels, Trump extolled the idea of vengeance. “Sometimes revenge can be justified,” Trump said

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment. 

Most of Trump’s threats have been reserved for political opponents, whom he has said he would have “every right” to prosecute. Though he has had no shortage of antipathy for certain business leaders as well. In particular, he has declared his dislike for Silicon Valley executives, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon founder and executive chair Jeff Bezos among his favorite targets. Zuckerberg has been a frequent recipient of his ire, since Meta’s decision to ban the former president from Facebook and Instagram after a mob of his supporters stormed the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Meta lifted the ban in February 2023.  

That’s done little to patch up the relationship in Trump’s eyes. Last week, the Republican nominee labeled Zuckerberg an “Election Fraudster,” baselessly accusing the Meta CEO of rigging U.S. elections and threatening to jail him. “DON’T DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful!” Trump

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