In the battlegrounds of contemporary economic ideologies, a towering figure has emerged. Last month, among the corridors of the World Economic Forum, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co., resounded with a declaration that reverberated through the chambers of power and dissent alike. With unwavering dedication, he proclaimed himself a “full-throated, red-blooded, patriotic, unwoke, capitalist CEO,” thrusting his persona into the heart of the ongoing struggle for economic dominance and ideological supremacy.
Mr. Dimon’s statements carry serious weight, given his leadership over an enterprise worth $500 billion, with more than $2.5 trillion in managed assets.
Unafraid to speak out, Mr. Dimon recently addressed issues regarding his bank’s diversity mandates and diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) hiring practices. Mr. Dimon went on the record stating that there was a strong presence among employees who were women, Hispanic, and LGBT, but he clarified that those metrics were not equally as impressive across the entire racial spectrum.
He then discussed how JPMorgan Chase & Co. changed the way they monitored career progression for all employees and potential employees, considering employees from all backgrounds, and not just those who fit into certain diversity slots.
Mr. Dimon’s stance isn’t limited to internal corporate matters; he has also spoken out on broader political issues. In another interview at the World Economic Forum, he warned against demonizing MAGA voters and praised elements of the Trump administration’s policies while critiquing aspects of so-called Bidenomics, most notably President Joe Biden’s disbelief in trickle-down economics and the surge in industrial economic policy.
Mr. Dimon has also made comments condemning leftist movements and attempts to dismantle free-market economies, underscoring the foundational liberties and opportunities inherent in Western democracies. Although free speech enables everyone to voice their opinions openly—no matter how ridiculous such comments may seem—it is crucial in the free market to champion narratives grounded in both economic realities and logical principles.
Fortunately, we have luminaries such as Mr. Dimon who take a stand and shine a very bright light on the absurdity happening over the future of America’s free-market enterprises and free speech.
Mr. Dimon is not the only one speaking up; last week, hedge fund tycoon Bill Ackman tweeted a scathing response to a Washington Post article—in which he fully cooperated—that, when edited and published, portrayed Mr. Ackman as a super-rich villain. He went as far as to say: “I am sadly repeatedly reminded to mistrust what I read in the media, and I am not alone. Destruction of confidence in our media is contributing to societal breakdown, and that is a very unfortunate state of affairs.”
Mr. Ackman and his wife, Neri Oxman, have faced numerous hit pieces by the mainstream media over the past few months, largely in retaliation over Mr. Ackman’s activism against Harvard University’s former president, Claudine Gay. These attacks have only embellished Mr. Ackman’s public stance.
In the past, American CEOs were known for their distinct personalities—a trait notably absent in many of today’s corporate leaders. Compare the legendary media mogul Ted Turner with Barry McCarthy, the timid and ultra-woke CEO of Peloton, or compare the founder and former CEO of Lululemon, Chip Wilson, with the politically correct CEO of Delta Airlines, Ed Bastian. America needs more Ted Turners and Chip Wilsons, just like the country needs more leaders like Bill Ackman and Jamie Dimon.
Nowadays, CEOs of public companies prioritize pleasing the press and mainstream media, at the expense of their personal integrity and character. It is clear they are driven by financial gain, willing to say and do whatever it takes to maintain profitability and keep their jobs. This is an outrageous reality.
In all seriousness, CEOs can make their workplaces more inviting to employees, and they can run efficient enterprises without succumbing to neo-Marxist agendas prioritizing unfounded axioms over hard work and merit. Mr. Dimon and Mr. Ackman know this. All others are just appeasing the small leftist echo chamber.
Although it’s ironic, but certainly not surprising, America’s left-leaning individuals and devout leftists are only emboldened by the affluence and immense wealth created by the free markets of Western democracies.
