Billionaire Ken Langone, co-founder of Home Depot, has dropped a bombshell by reversing his sharp criticism of President Trump. Once a vocal skeptic, he’s now singing a different tune about the commander-in-chief.
According to DailyMail.com, Langone declared on CNBC’s Squawk Box Tuesday that he’s “sold on Trump.” This comes after months of public disdain for Trump’s trade policies, a stunning pivot for the 89-year-old retail titan.
Back in April, Langone didn’t hold back, slamming Trump’s tariffs on Vietnam as nonsense and calling levies on China overly hasty in an interview with the Financial Times. His frustration with potential retribution from Trump also spilled out, a concern he now admits was misplaced.
Langone’s earlier fears of Trump seeking revenge have evaporated, as he stated Tuesday, “I’m happy to say I’m comfortable - he’s not doing that.” His newfound trust seems rooted in Trump’s recent demeanor and choices in advisors.
He went as far as to predict Trump could be remembered among the nation’s greatest leaders, claiming the president “has a good shot at going down in history as one of our best presidents ever.” That’s quite the leap for someone who once questioned the logic behind Trump’s trade moves.
Such praise isn’t just empty flattery; Langone sees Trump’s actions as a signal of American resolve. He noted the symbolic weight of recent military moves, like the strike on nuclear facilities in Iran, as proof the U.S. is reclaiming its global stance.
On Monday, Trump’s announcement of tariffs targeting the European Union and Mexico, two major trade partners, nudged stocks upward. Even a bold promise of 100 percent tariffs on nations trading with Russia absent a Ukraine peace deal in 50 days barely rattled Wall Street, with the S&P 500 nearing a record high.
Langone, once a harsh critic of such tariffs, now seems unfazed, even energized by the economic direction. He suggested Trump’s recent legislative push, dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill, could spark substantial growth for the nation.
His optimism extends beyond policy to a broader cultural shift, observing that “people are walking with more bounce.” It’s a curious metric, but one he ties to a renewed national spirit under Trump’s leadership.
Langone’s turnaround isn’t just about domestic gains; he believes the world stage is tilting in America’s favor. “I think the world is a mess, but it’s coming more in our direction than it was,” he remarked on CNBC.
He credits Trump with asserting U.S. interests unapologetically, stating, “America is here, and when our interests are at risk, we’re going to do something about it.” That’s a far cry from his earlier grumbling over aggressive trade stances.
While progressive voices might decry such bravado as reckless, there’s something to be said for a leader who acts decisively rather than bowing to endless diplomatic hand-wringing. Trump’s style, love it or hate it, is shaking up the status quo, and Langone is clearly buying in.
Even as Home Depot’s shares dipped 2 percent Tuesday, with an 8 percent drop year-to-date, CNBC analyst Jim Cramer called the stock a solid buy due to rising home equity withdrawals for renovations. Langone, meanwhile, remains bullish on the broader economic horizon under Trump.
His blunt endorsement, “Like it or not, this guy’s getting things done,” cuts through the noise of partisan squabbles. It’s a nod to results over rhetoric, a perspective that resonates when so much public discourse drowns in ideology.
For now, Langone’s shift offers a glimpse into how even fierce critics can pivot when they see tangible action over empty promises. Whether Trump fulfills this lofty vision of historic greatness, only time will tell, but the billionaire’s bet is firmly placed.
