(DailyAnswer.org) – Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, who helped Americans build their homes and dreams, passed away at 95. His company announced his death on Tuesday, marking the end of a remarkable life that reshaped American retail. Known for his sharp business instincts and strong opinions, Marcus was a revered figure, both in business and as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns.
Marcus was born to an immigrant Jewish family and studied pharmacy at Rutgers University. After being fired from a corporate job at 49, he partnered with Arthur Blank and Ron Brill, with investment from Ken Langone, to open a store designed as a one-stop-shop for home improvement. The first Home Depot, opened in Atlanta, quickly became a hit, pioneering a new way for Americans to access building supplies in one place.
Home Depot wasn’t just convenient; it played a huge role in the lives of millions, empowering people to launch their own small businesses as contractors. Stores even became meeting points for day laborers, including many from the country’s immigrant communities. During the pandemic, when so many other stores closed, Home Depot stayed open, becoming a place of connection and normalcy for many people.
Throughout his life, Marcus was generous with his wealth, practicing tzedakah, a Jewish principle of charity and justice. His estimated $11 billion fortune allowed him to donate $250 million to build the Georgia Aquarium and plan even more charitable giving before his death. In 2019, he made it clear he wanted to give away the rest of his wealth to charitable causes—and, notably, to support Trump’s re-election.
In 2016, when backing Trump was controversial, Marcus wrote about his reasons. He argued that government policies were making it too hard for small businesses to thrive. Despite supporting Jeb Bush in the primaries, he believed Trump was the better choice for the economy. Marcus continued to support Trump, defending his tax cuts and criticizing Democrats who opposed them. He pointed out that the tax changes were helping corporations and small businesses alike.
During the pandemic, Marcus praised Trump’s approach of allowing states to manage their own responses. In a 2020 Fox News op-ed, he supported Trump’s re-election, saying that despite the tragic loss of lives, more could have died without Trump’s policies. He backed Trump again in 2024, warning that the nation’s future was at stake.
It’s a poignant coincidence that Marcus passed away on Election Day 2024, a day that represents the American dream he helped so many achieve.
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