Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz to support Trump in next election, citing concerns over Biden

Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz has publicly announced his intention to vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election, citing concerns about President Joe Biden’s “mental condition” and the state of US immigration policies. Peltz, who leads the $10 billion investment firm Trian Partners, voiced his apprehensions in an interview with the Financial Times conducted in Palm Beach, Florida. Despite his previous regrets over supporting Trump after the 2021 US Capitol riot, Peltz stated, “It will probably be Trump and I’m not happy about that,” indicating his worry over Biden’s ability to govern effectively.

Peltz’s decision underscores the divisive nature of current US politics and signals a potential shift among former Trump critics back towards the former president. He was also specific about his concern regarding the rise in immigration under Biden’s watch, which he perceived as detrimental. While Peltz has supported Republican candidates in the past, he clarified that his political support has been non-partisan, having voted for Democrats as well.

In a separate yet related political development, former President Donald Trump is seeking extensive immunity from criminal charges associated with alleged efforts to interfere with election results. Trump’s legal representatives have approached the Supreme Court, arguing that a lack of immunity could subject future presidents to blackmail, extortion, and undue stress both during and after their terms. This request follows after federal courts in Washington DC dismissed Trump’s immunity defense. The central legal debate is whether a former president can claim immunity for actions purportedly taken while in office, with accusations centered on Trump’s attempts to contest the 2020 election results.

Special Counsel Jack Smith has challenged this assertion, arguing that Trump’s actions fall outside the scope of official presidential duties and therefore do not qualify for immunity. The Supreme Court is slated to hear oral arguments on the matter on April 25, with the possibility of additional fact-finding should Trump’s immunity claim be denied. To date, two federal courts have decided against the argument for Trump’s immunity.