Former President Donald Trump held a private meeting with some of the country’s most powerful CEOs in the nation’s capital, leaving many attendees feeling disheartened and questioning his mental fitness. CNBC anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin spoke to CEOs who were at the meeting, including Apple’s Tim Cook and JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon, who expressed concerns about Trump’s meandering and lack of a clear through line in his thoughts. Trump’s discussion of bringing the corporate tax rate down to 20 percent based on it being a round number left many CEOs shaking their heads, as they recognized the significance of even a small change in the tax burden on the country.
During the meeting, Trump recounted a story about a proposal to eliminate taxes on worker tips, which prompted laughter from the CEOs in attendance. The report also mentioned that Trump’s tendency for gibberish and nonsensical rants, such as a recent one about sharks and electrocution at a campaign rally, has raised concerns about his communication abilities. The CEOs’ reactions to Trump’s remarks suggest that there is growing skepticism among business leaders about his decision-making and ability to effectively lead the country.
The CEOs at the meeting were surprised by Trump’s lack of coherence and a clear rationale behind his tax proposals, with one CEO commenting that Trump struggled to keep a thought straight and often veered off in different directions. The revelation that Trump’s decision-making process may be based on superficial factors like round numbers rather than sound economic principles has raised doubts about his ability to make informed policy decisions. The disconnect between Trump’s communication style and the expectations of business leaders further underscores the challenges of engaging with him on substantive issues.
Despite being considered pro-Trump, many CEOs left the meeting feeling uncertain and disheartened about the direction of the country under his leadership. The laughter and head-shaking that followed Trump’s remarks about tax policy and worker tips indicate a lack of confidence in his competency and understanding of key economic issues. The CEO’s reactions are a reflection of broader concerns about Trump’s leadership style and decision-making process, which have been called into question by his penchant for meandering and incoherent speech during important meetings with business leaders.
Overall, Trump’s private meeting with CEOs in the nation’s capital has raised significant doubts about his ability to lead effectively and make informed policy decisions. Business leaders who considered themselves supportive of Trump left the meeting feeling disheartened and questioning his mental fitness, as his lack of coherence and clear rationale behind tax policies raised concerns about his understanding of key economic issues. The disconnect between Trump’s communication style and the expectations of CEOs underscores the challenges of engaging with him on substantive policy matters, further complicating efforts to address pressing economic challenges facing the country.
