Billionaire Trump-supporter turns on President (2025)

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Citadel CEO Ken Griffin is a Republican mega-donor and until recently a major supporter of President Donald Trump.

But in a stunning rebuke, Griffin — the 33rd richest person in the world — warnedthat Trump's policies are damaging the US's global reputation.

'The United States was more than just a nation. It's a brand — a universal brand,' Griffin said on Wednesday at the Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington.

'Whether it's our culture, our financial strength, our military strength …. America rose beyond just being a country.

'It was like an aspiration for most the world. And we're eroding that brand right now.'

Griffin, who runs one of the world's largest hedge funds, said investors are growing increasingly hesitant about putting money into the US.

The billionaire said Treasury bonds have been particularly affected because Trump's actions have destroyed the belief that America will remain trustworthy and rational in global financial markets.

'If you think of your behavior as a consumer, how many times do you buy a product with a brand on it because you trust that brand?' Griffin said.

'In the financial markets, no brand compares to the brand of the US Treasuries — the strength of the US dollar and the strength and the creditworthiness of US Treasuries.

'No brand came close. We put that brand at risk. It can take a very long time — a very long time — to remove the tarnish on a brand,' he added.

Griffin's remarks come after Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement on April 2, which sparked chaos in bond markets.

Treasury bonds — typically considered a safe haven — dropped sharply, as fears of a prolonged trade war grew.

It was this 'fire sale' that forced Trump to delay most tariffsfor 90 days.

Griffin is not alone in his criticism.Several high profile investors and founders now outwardly criticizing the presidentas they worry the US is inflicting large irreversible damage on its own and the world economy.

Legendary investor Warren Buffett called the tariffs 'an act of war' and 'a tax on goods.'

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has said the administration's policies will cause 'considerable turbulence'in the economy and warned of the risk of recession.

Trump ally Bill Ackman said Trump's tariffs were 'destroying confidence in our country as a trading partner.'

Even Elon Musk who runs the government's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has broken with the president on tariffs.

Musk's criticism has taken aim a Peter Navarro, one of the architects of the tariff policies, calling the fellow Trump ally, 'dumber than a sack of bricks,' on X.

Musk also said he wants the US and Europe to shift into a tariff-free environment.

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