Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is going all in for Donald Trump.
Icahn said in a video released on his website Tuesday that while he doesn’t agree with Republican presidential candidate on all the issues, the country needs someone to “wake it up.”
“We need a president that can move Congress, and I think Donald Trump could do it,” Icahn said.
Icahn said one obvious problem facing the country is the carried interest loophole, which allows hedge fund earnings to be taxed at a lower rate than normal income. Trump wants to eliminate the tax break.
“People on Wall Street, they’re good friends of mine,” Icahn said. “I like them. But not having to pay full taxes on money that you’re earning is an absurdity.”
Trump can be brash, Icahn allowed in the video, but of all the presidential candidates, “he’s willing to say what he believes and willing to say, ‘Hey, this is complete bulls**t.’ ”
Trump had previously said he would want Icahn in his administration, suggesting the activist investor would take the lead in negotiating trade with China and Japan or would be a potential Treasury Secretary. After seeing Trump’s performance during the first Republican debate, Icahn tweeted that he would accept the offer.
Is Icahn now offering a full endorsement of Trump?
“I would say it’s an endorsement. I think at this moment in time, he’s the only candidate that speaks out about the country’s problems,” Icahn told Bloomberg on Tuesday. “I’m behind Trump.”
