Ex-Wal-Mart CEO Simon Says Trump Can Unite GOP
Former Wal-Mart U.S. CEO Bill Simon’s pick for president may be out of the race, but Donald Trump grabbed his attention on Super Tuesday.
“He’s taken the political coalition that President Reagan built probably in the late ‘70s and turned it completely on its head and I think that’s been interesting to watch,” he said during an interview with the FOX Business Network’s Stuart Varney.
While Simon says Trump needs to earn his support before he commits to backing the nominee, he believes the billionaire businessman has the opportunity to unite the Republican Party.
“I think he’s got some work to do... He’s asked that the party support him and has threatened to run as an Independent if they don’t, but I think it’s now time as he’s demonstrated last night -- he’s clearly in control here. I think it’s time for him now to demonstrate that he supports the party and if he does, I think that many people will rally behind him,” he said.
From a business perspective, Simon says certainty and stability will spark growth and investment in the business community.
“He’s going to have to reach out and embrace and understand that as the candidate and eventually if he were to win as the president, he’s going to have to work with the speaker, he’s going to have to work with the majority leader in order to get things done -- and if he can’t work with those in his own party, the chances that he is going to be able to work with those across the aisle are nearly impossible,” he said.
He also thinks tax cuts are needed.
“The corporate taxes are way too high. It’s forcing a lot of money offshore… The personal rates are too high. People aren’t investing -- and when they don’t invest and spend their money we are left with a service economy.”