Hello everyone. In a startling development, Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, had a brief and unexpected connection to BlackRock Inc. This connection emerged as BlackRock, the world’s largest money manager, confirmed that Crooks had appeared in a 2022 advertisement for the company.
The ad, shot at Bethel Park High School, featured Crooks along with other students in the background. These students, including Crooks, were unpaid for their appearance. Crooks had graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. While the exact content of the ad remains undisclosed, BlackRock has assured that it will provide the footage to the authorities and remove it from circulation.
BlackRock swiftly condemned the attack, emphasizing the severity and abhorrence of the assassination attempt. Their statement expressed relief that former President Trump was not seriously injured and extended condolences to the innocent victims of the attack, particularly noting the tragic death of an attendee and the critical injuries sustained by two others.
“The assassination attempt on former President Trump is abhorrent. We’re thankful former President Trump wasn’t seriously injured, and thinking about all the innocent bystanders and victims of this awful act, especially the person who was killed,” the company stated.
This incident adds to the scrutiny BlackRock has faced in the past due to its investments. The company has previously been criticized for its index funds that hold shares in gun manufacturers, particularly following shooting incidents in the US.
🚨🇺🇸 BLACKROCK PULLS AD FEATURING TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT GUNMAN
BlackRock is pulling an ad that featured Thomas Crooks, the gunman who shot at Trump, injuring him and killing an attendee at a rally near Pittsburgh.
The ad, from 2022, included Crooks as an unpaid student… https://t.co/BVJOC2Qb40 pic.twitter.com/nfpTyQOZ90
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 14, 2024
As the nation reels from the attack, details about the incident have emerged. Crooks, identified as a registered Republican, was ultimately shot dead by a Secret Service sniper during the attack. Former President Trump, who suffered a minor injury to his right ear, emphasized unity in his message to the nation, urging Americans not to let “evil to win.” He attributed his survival to divine intervention, stating, “It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”
President Biden also addressed the nation, calling for a reduction in political tensions. In a rare Oval Office address, he stressed, “Politics must never be a literal battlefield, God forbid a killing field.”
In the aftermath, the US markets are anticipating a surge in trades favoring Trump, buoyed by a wave of sympathy and support. This sentiment is expected to bolster the Republican cause, particularly in light of recent criticisms of Biden’s performance in the latest debate.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.
