Billionaire investor Sam Zell on the 2020 elections

Billionaire investor Sam Zell told CNBC on Wednesday he’s not ready to endorse a candidate for president yet, saying the big question is whether Democrat Joe Biden would run the nation more as a centrist or tack hard left.

“Let’s put it like this: If you told me that the Obama-Biden plan or methodology was going to repeated for the next four years, I would be a lot less worried than I am now,” said Zell.

The outspoken founder of Equity Group Investments, who describes himself as a right-leaning independent, doesn’t agree with all of the policies under former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Biden, saying in a “Squawk Box” interview that a failed income redistribution strategy in the previous administration exacerbated the nation’s wealth inequality.

Zell said the next 2½ months in the run-up to the November presidential election should reveal whether Biden will be able to embrace his moderate roots or act as a “placeholder” for the takeover of the Democratic Party by the “radical left,” whose policies would “lead to the destruction of our economic system.”

“I think that anything that is focused on dividing the country is not a positive thing,” said Zell, answering a question about President Donald Trump’s approach to governing. However, Zell has in the past expressed support for the president’s business-friendly policies such as cutting the corporate tax rate and rolling back Obama-Biden era business regulations.

Fellow billionaire investor Barry Sternlicht, who has also supported Trump’s economic policies, went a step further than Zell, telling CNBC on Tuesday that he would “probably vote for Biden right now.”

“I think that on the margin, the nation needs to heal and I think we need to get back together, and I don’t think we’re going to do that with the rhetoric from the right,” said the Starwood Capital founder, who like Zell expressed caution about the divisiveness of the Trump White House.

Sternlicht also said he’s in the middle politically. “I’m fiscally conservative and socially liberal, like most of my peers, and we don’t have a party. We kind of just wing it.”


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[robertarnold]

PLEASE VOTE IN PERSON TO MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION BLESS THE USA .. LETS NOT LOOSE IT

[dksculpture]

2020 isn’t about policies or how far left or how far right. Democracy is fragile; it’s about securing our democracy.

[rorytennes]

He's voting Trump. Just doesn't want to say it yet.

[janiekcarney]

When the question is longer than the answer!!!Who wants to hear the journalist?

[jimmychoi]

Asking a Billionaire who got enormous tax cuts is not really a question

[uliaritonangchilds]

Reporter tried to put the words to the billioner's reporter.

[jondavis]

You never hear anyone mention the government needs to stop wasting and spending like a drunk.

[springhernandez]

It’s plan he is voting for try to get him to say he was voting for Biden smh

[anthonymccarthymusicandact]

These guys know nothing about common middle class people. That tax plan did not help. Trickle down doesn't work

[pikiwiki]

"the only thing that really matters is growth." That's it in a nutshell

[uliaritonangchilds]

Thank god the billionaire being a billionaire is a smart person.

[bessarion]

In other words, Trump was great for the country, but I don't want to say it.

[Lanatus]

A billionaire complain about distribution. Next.

[joewest]

This guy is just Rambling on, he doesn't give two cents about anybody .

[ChrisSmart-ojvb]

Any smart businessman you speak to all praise Trump and his policies. This man is no fool. He goes by what he sees and NOT what he hears in the Media. Trump ran America like a business and we were very lucky not to get crushed when the lock downs happened is because TRUMP had us in such a STRONG financial position going into it, that we were able to survive. During the Pandemic. At the time, Over 60% of American's said they were better off then (during the pandemic) than a year before. That's strong. Trump 2024.

[stevechandler]

Thought he’d never get that question out

[stevecamarano]

GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP, THE CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC OF AMERICA, & ADAM SMITH CAPITALISM!!!

[rogermorris]

why is it that these so called reporters stutter and stammer while to get a question? or statement across

[davidking]

Zell needs to stick to business, I don't hear a clear message from him on politics or political influence on the economy.

[boomusa]

Tap dancing of the mouth. 03:53 "WHO IS JOE BIDEN".