Big Tech CEOs, Billionaires, And Business Leaders React To Trump Rally Shooting

At least two people, including the suspected shooter, were killed on Saturday after shots were fired at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to a statement from the Secret Service. Two other rally attendees were critically injured, the agency said.

The shooting immediately drew reactions from top lawmakers, the Biden administration, and business leaders across the political spectrum.

Here are some of their reactions:

Billionaire Mark Cuban, who has voiced support for President Joe Biden for a second term, wrote on X in the hour of the shooting that he hoped “the former president is Ok and no one else was injured.”

“And let’s hope they catch the idiot who did this. This is not the way,” Cuban wrote. “And thank you to the Secret Service who put themselves in harms way to protect the former President.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has feuded with Cuban over hot-button political issues, chose the moment to announce his endorsement of Trump. Musk previously said he would avoid financially backing a 2024 candidate, but Bloomberg recently reported that he donated to a pro-Trump super PAC.

“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg similarly said on Threads that he is praying for a “quick recovery for President Trump.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who typically prefers to maintain some semblance of neutrality and diplomacy in US politics, condemned the shooting.

“I pray for President Trump’s rapid recovery. My thoughts are with him, the other victims and the Trump family. I strongly condemn this violence,” he wrote on X.

In his first post on X in early nine months, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos wrote that Trump “showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire tonight.”

“So thankful for his safety and so sad for the victims and their families,” Bezos wrote.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, called the incident on X a “horrific event” and said “there is simply no place for any type of violence in our society.”

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google parent Alphabet, wrote on X that he wished the former president a “speedy recovery.” He added that political violence is “intolerable” and that everyone should come together to oppose it.

In a brief statement on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote: “very glad President Trump is safe!”

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who hasn’t publicly endorsed a 2024 candidate but was optimistic about his company’s prospects regardless of the election outcome, wrote on X that he wished a quick recovery for Trump and condemned “political violence.”

“A full and speedy recovery to President Trump. May his body be healed, his mind be soothed, and his soul be comforted. May he be blessed with strength and courage, and return to health soon. There is no room in our country for political violence,” he wrote.

Marc Andreessen, cofounder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, posted a cryptic image of an American flag on X following the incident. He has yet to publicly endorse a 2024 candidate but has been critical of the Biden Administration.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said in a statement posted on X that he was “thankful President Trump wasn’t seriously injured.”

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger wrote on X that the shooting had made for a “very difficult night for our nation.” He said he was relieved to hear that the former president was “in good spirits” and denounced violence.

Reid Hoffman, cofounder of LinkedIn, wrote on X, “Assassination is not only categorically wrong, but is also the assassination of democracy.”

He wished the former president a quick recovery. He also criticized some of Trump’s rhetoric, writing, “When he warns against consequences of him losing the election, he should not predict a ‘bloodbath’ in a way that might incite future protesters to violence against his political opponents.”

Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, wrote on X hours after the shooting that he was endorsing Trump for president. Ackman said he would write a long post to explain his thinking.

The venture capitalist David Sacks reaffirmed his support for the former president, writing on X, “There’s not a braver man in America than Donald Trump.”