But last week it was a breaking point. Major matters can apparently be tolerated with the co-operation of mr. Trump despite his chauvinism, his flirtations with white nationalism and his claims to be impunity, but the president’s apparent willingness to undermine democracy, seems a step too far.
“This thing was a little different. I mean, we had riots and insurgency in DC, ”said Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase. ‘No CEO, I know it in any way, shape or form. We should not have someone, you know, who gasses a crowd. ‘
The fallout was rapid. After the president urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, general managers have used their strongest language to date. To reject Trump, and some of his longtime allies have run away. Ken Langone, the billionaire co-founder of Home Depot and an ardent supporter of the president, said Mr. Trump denied and told CNBC: “I feel betrayed.”
Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have banned or suspended Trump’s accounts. Amazon, Apple and Google have severed ties with Parler, a messaging app popular with its fans.
Charles Schwab, the brokerage firm founded by a Republican who supported Trump, said he would close his political action committee completely. And many companies, along with the US Chamber of Commerce, have tried to punish Trump’s supporters in Congress by depriving them of important funds.
“For the members of Congress who were involved in inciting the riot and supporting the riot, there will be consequences, no question about it,” said Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian.