2025-08-21 9:24 AM <br/> Tags: #people #AmericanJewry #Donor ![[image-93.png|527x351]] *Marcus and [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] in 2014* # Bernard Marcus (1929-2024) - Bernard Marcus was an American-Jewish businessman and republican megadonor. - Marcus together with [[Arthur Blank]] co-founded Home Depot in 1978. - Both Marcus and Blank are Jewish. - Marcus was a lifelong religious Jew, attending a Reform synagogue in Atlanta. #### Marcus's contributions - Marcus was a contributor to right wing and Jewish/Israeli causes. - Marcus explained his political and philanthropic activity in a 2012 *Philanthropy Magazine* publication "I'm proud of the fact that I'm Jewish and what happened with the holocaust is not going to happen again if I can do anything about it."[^1] #RedPill *Jews believe, in a near religious fashion, that the holocaust will happen again if not for their collective organization. They live in constant distrust of the nations they reside in. For this reason they use their influence and money for the benefit of the Jewish world and the Jewish state. They serve a shared collective by nature, because of this they succeed.* - Many of Marcus's contributions are done through his [[Marcus Foundation]]. - His contributions include: - [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]] - $5 million - Major Reform Judaism organization - [[Hillel International]] - Largest Jewish campus group - [[Birthright Israel]] - Free trips for to Israel for young Jews - [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]] - Major right wing Jewish group - [[AIPAC]] - Main Jewish Israel lobby - [[RootOne]] - ~$80 million - Free trips to Israel for Jews - [[Chabad Lubavitch|Chabad of Atlanta]] - Branch of orthodox Hasidic Judaism - [[itrek]] (Israel Trek) - Brings non Jewish students in law, stem, policy, etc., to Israel for propaganda tours and soliciting - [[Friends of the IDF (FIDF)]] - American organization working to aid Israeli soldiers - United Democracy Project - [[AIPAC]]'s super PAC --- - In 1991 Marcus co-founded the [[Israel Democracy Institute (IDI)]], an Israeli think tank involved in Israeli politics. - Marcus initially gave $5 million to the IDI, and additionally tens of millions throughout its ongoing operations. - Marcus donated ~$35 million to Israel's Magen David Adom Blood Center. - The $35 million was for the purpose of building the "Marcus National Blood Services Center," the worlds first underground missile-proof blood bank. - The underground facility was the first of its kind in the world. - Marcus contributed to and was a trustee of the [[Foundation for Defense of Democracies]]. - Marcus is a signatory of the 2020 [[Jewish Future Promise]]. - The JFP is a pledge signed by over 100,000 Jews to give at least 50% of their contributions to Jewish causes. - Currently 11% of all American donations are to Jewish causes; the JFP wants to reach 20%. #### Marcus, Political Action, and the American Right Wing - Bernard Marcus was significantly active in American right wing politics. - Marcus was the largest donor to Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. - Marcus contributed ~$10.7 million to Mitt Romney's Campaign. - Notorious Jewish megadonor [[Sheldon Adelson]] was the overall top republican donor in 2012 with over $34 million in contributions. - #RedPill *Obama's largest donor in 2012 was also Jewish. So was his second largest donor. So was his third. So was his fourth. So was his fifth. It's the same mirror maze. * - Marcus contributed to Jeb Bush in the 2015 primaries. - Marcus was a top donor and supporter of [[Donald Trump]] in 2016, 2020, and 2024. - Marcus gave $7 million to Trump in 2016. #RedPill *This is a tough pill to swallow for a lot of us. Trump was Israel's top guy from the start.* - Marcus gave a combined ~$11.5 million to Trump and Trump-affiliated PACs in the 2020 election. - Marcus also backed Trump in the 2024 election, yet he said he would have preferred [[Nikki Haley]]. - He ended up fully backing Trump, claiming the country was in unprecedented peril. *This follows the massive wave of Jews backing Trump after Oct, 7th. * - Marcus served on the board of the [[Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC)]]. >[!info] Steve Bannon >- In 2016 [[Steve Bannon]] was accused of having ties to antisemites and white supremacists. >- Marcus, through the [[Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC)]], issued a statement absolving Bannon of wrongdoing. >- Marcus said "I have known Bannon to be a passionate Zionist and supporter of Israel who felt so strongly about this he opened a [[Breitbart]] office in Israel to ensure the true pro-Israel story would get out. What is being done to Steve is a shonda." *Shonda is a Yiddish term meaning shame.* - In 2023 Marcus accused the [[ADL]] and [[American Jewish Committee (AJC)]], rabid antisemitism hunting groups, of being too timid in their activities. He claimed they were "not pulling their weight." *Right wing Jews will say "I don't like the ADL either, I don't like the AJC either." They purposefully conceal why; these groups, in their opinion, do not do nearly enough to fight antisemitism and benefit Jews.* #### Home Depot Boycotts - In 2019 and 2020 (and various times since), the left has called for boycotts of Home Depot in retaliation for Marcus's support for Trump. - The right will then galvanize support for Home Depot urging conservatives to support a 'business on our side.' - *The online/vocal right wing works to guide their audience by vowing loyalty to businesses like Home Depot. When you look a little closer (the intention of this project) you'll realize these people are not anywhere near 'our side.' They are single issue donors/backers; they are Jewish, and use their influence to benefit Jews and Israel.* #### References - _“Does Home Depot Back Israel? The Role of Co-Founder Bernie Marcus,”_ _Brussels Morning_, n.d., accessed August 18, 2025, [https://brusselsmorning.com/does-home-depot-back-israel-role-of-co-founder-bernie-marcus/77666/#:~:text=Marcus%20brusselsmorning,supporting%20Israeli%20institutions%20and%20causes](https://brusselsmorning.com/does-home-depot-back-israel-role-of-co-founder-bernie-marcus/77666/#:~:text=Marcus%20brusselsmorning,supporting%20Israeli%20institutions%20and%20causes) - “Bernard Marcus.” _Wikipedia_. Last modified August 15, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Marcus - “Marcus Foundation Gifts $35 Million for Israel’s First Underground Blood Bank.” _Atlanta Jewish Times_, October 18, 2022. - American Friends of Magen David Adom. “World’s First Underground Anti-Missile Blood Center Dedicated.” _AFMDA.org_, May 10, 2022. [https://afmda.org/news/marcus-blood-center-dedicated/](https://afmda.org/news/marcus-blood-center-dedicated/) - Elia‑Shalev, Asaf. 2024. _“Bernie Marcus, Home Depot founder who gave to Republicans and Israel, dies at 95.”_ _Jewish Telegraphic Agency_, November 5. Accessed August 18, 2025. [https://www.jta.org/2024/11/05/obituaries/bernie-marcus-home-depot-founder-who-gave-to-republicans-and-israel-dies-at-95](https://www.jta.org/2024/11/05/obituaries/bernie-marcus-home-depot-founder-who-gave-to-republicans-and-israel-dies-at-95). - Ron Wolfson, “What Bernie Marcus Taught Us About Leadership,” _eJewishPhilanthropy_ (Opinion – Life Lessons), November 25, 2024, accessed August 18, 2025, [https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/what-bernie-marcus-taught-us-about-leadership/](https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/what-bernie-marcus-taught-us-about-leadership/). - Theodore Schleifer. “Trump’s Billionaire Backers, from Thiel to Marcus.” _Puck News_, March 2024. - “Billionaires and the 2024 Trump Campaign.” _Washington Post_, November 2023. - “Bernie Marcus: A Timeline of His Life.” _The Atlanta Journal-Constitution_, November 5, 2024. [https://www.ajc.com/news/billionaire-business-leader-philanthropist-had-major-impact-on-atlanta/2DDWR6S7G5H2LLRSYMDO7WOBV4/](https://www.ajc.com/news/billionaire-business-leader-philanthropist-had-major-impact-on-atlanta/2DDWR6S7G5H2LLRSYMDO7WOBV4/) - New Georgia Encyclopedia. “Bernie Marcus.” _New Georgia Encyclopedia_, November 18, 2024. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/bernie-marcus/ - Philanthropy News Digest. “Marcus Foundation Commits $60 Million to RootOne.” _PND by Candid_, July 14, 2021. [https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/marcus-foundation-commits-60-million-to-rootone](https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/marcus-foundation-commits-60-million-to-rootone). - Israel Democracy Institute. “Bernard (Bernie) Marcus, Founder and International Chair.” _en.idi.org.il_, n.d. [https://en.idi.org.il/centers/57361](https://en.idi.org.il/centers/57361) - Asaf Elia-Shalev. “Bernie Marcus, Home Depot Cofounder Who Gave to Republicans and Israel, Dies at 95.” _Times of Israel_, November 6, 2024. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/bernie-marcus-home-depot-cofounder-who-gave-to-republicans-and-israel-dies-at-95/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/bernie-marcus-home-depot-cofounder-who-gave-to-republicans-and-israel-dies-at-95/) - WCNC-TV (NBC Charlotte). “Trump Fires Back after Home Depot Boycott over Founder’s Support of Trump.” _WCNC.com_, July 9, 2019. [https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/home-depot-shoppers-call-for-boycott-over-co-founders-support-for-donald-trump/507-a9067a8b-dd87-4f80-a61f-21331bb4ea88](https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/home-depot-shoppers-call-for-boycott-over-co-founders-support-for-donald-trump/507-a9067a8b-dd87-4f80-a61f-21331bb4ea88) - Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “Stephen Bannon Backed in Statement from Republican Jewish Coalition Board Member.” _JTA_, November 15, 2016. [https://www.jta.org/2016/11/15/politics/stephen-bannon-backed-in-statement-from-republican-jewish-coalition-board-member](https://www.jta.org/2016/11/15/politics/stephen-bannon-backed-in-statement-from-republican-jewish-coalition-board-member) - Jonathan S. Tobin with Bernie Marcus. “‘Jews Who Give Money to Harvard Are Dumb.’” _JNS-Top Story (podcast/column)_, January 26, 2023. [https://www.jns.org/jews-who-give-money-to-harvard-are-dumb/](https://www.jns.org/jews-who-give-money-to-harvard-are-dumb/). - OpenSecrets. “Donor Detail-Outside Spending (2016): Marcus, Bernard.” _OpenSecrets.org_, 2016 cycle. [https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/donor_detail/2016?id=U0000003307&name=Marcus%2C+Bernard&super=N&type=I](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/donor_detail/2016?id=U0000003307&name=Marcus%2C+Bernard&super=N&type=I) - OpenSecrets. “United Democracy Project: Contributions from Individual Donors (2023–2024).” _OpenSecrets.org_, May 24, 2023; November 28, 2023; July 25, 2024 entries for Bernard Marcus. [https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/united-democracy-project/C00799031/donors/2024](https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/united-democracy-project/C00799031/donors/2024) - ABC News. “A GOP Megadonor Says He’s Not ‘Happy’ Trump Is Leading the 2024 Race. Here’s Why He’s Still Trying to Get Him Elected.” _ABC News_, November 28, 2023. [https://abcnews.go.com/US/gop-megadonor-happy-trump-leading-2024-race-elected/story?id=105193130](https://abcnews.go.com/US/gop-megadonor-happy-trump-leading-2024-race-elected/story?id=105193130) [^1]: - Asaf Elia-Shalev. “Bernie Marcus, Home Depot Cofounder Who Gave to Republicans and Israel, Dies at 95.” _Times of Israel_, November 6, 2024. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/bernie-marcus-home-depot-cofounder-who-gave-to-republicans-and-israel-dies-at-95/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/bernie-marcus-home-depot-cofounder-who-gave-to-republicans-and-israel-dies-at-95/)