Bernard Marcus
Pro-Israel-policy Republican mega-donor — explicitly framed his giving around US support for Israel and Trump-aligned conservatism.
Who they are.
Co-founder of The Home Depot, the world's largest home-improvement retailer. After retiring as chairman in 2002, Marcus channeled the bulk of his fortune into the Marcus Foundation and into Republican political giving. He was for two decades one of the largest individual donors to the Republican Jewish Coalition and a leading funder of pro-Israel Republican causes until his death in November 2024.
The chain.
- Republican Jewish CoalitionTop donor / board
- AIPAC PACMajor donor
- America First ActionMajor Trump-aligned super PAC donor
- Donald Trump (R, President)$7M+ to America First Action 2020 + further 2024 cycle support2020/2024 · Won 2024 general election
- Senate Republican incumbents (broad)Millions to Senate Leadership Fund across multiple cycles2014-2024 · GOP retook Senate majority 2024
- Republican Jewish Coalition slateTens of millions across RJC Victory Fund cycles2010-2024 · Funded pro-Israel GOP House and Senate candidates
The targets.
On the record.
“I'm too old to worry about being cancelled. President Trump is the only person who can save this nation.”
“America needs to stand with Israel, period.”
Sources.
Questions about Bernard Marcus.
How much did Bernard Marcus give in politics?
Publicly reported figures from OpenSecrets and FEC filings place Marcus's federal political giving at roughly $50 million across the 2016-2024 cycles, with the largest single tranches flowing to America First Action (Trump 2020), the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund, and Senate Leadership Fund. He was one of the top RJC donors of the past two decades.
Did Marcus support Trump?
Yes — Marcus was one of the earliest billionaire endorsers of Donald Trump in 2016 and gave roughly $7 million to America First Action for the 2020 cycle, along with sustained 2024 support before his death in November 2024.
What was Bernard Marcus's connection to Home Depot?
Marcus co-founded The Home Depot in 1978 with Arthur Blank, after both were fired from Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers. He served as chairman until 2002. His Home Depot stake is the source of the wealth that funded the Marcus Foundation and his political giving.