Mr. Trump, Are You Still Considering Running Mates? Jamie Dimon has a Democrat’s Heart and Republican Brain!

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One thing for sure, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is chock-full of policy ideas and like you, Mr. President, he believes the US needs a strong economy and to address domestic unrest starting at the border.

He also says that while he may have the heart of a Democrat, he has like you the brain of a Republican.

It’s all spelled out in a robust new policy platform he recently dropped in his inspiring 2023 annual shareholder letter now making publicity rounds and almost sounding like he’s already your vice-presidential candidate.

Dimon’s also a proponent like you of the US strengthening its role in the global economy and I’m sure he would go along understanding your insistence that all nations pay their fair share if they want the US involved in organizations like NATO.

I don’t think you’d mind too much if he’s an iconic billionaire too, so I’d urge you to read his annual shareholder letter.

It reads like a manifesto touching on everything from AI to geopolitics and includes an emotional appeal for the US to use its power to bring the West together at a time of global turbulence.

While Dimon's annual letters usually address policy, this year's is much more extensive than usual, and an intriguing turn from the well-known CEO of the country's largest bank who now sees a possible future in politics. On that score he can learn a great deal from you, both your achievements and mistakes.?? Isn’t that how we all grow?

For now, Dimon has presented a suite of policy proposals on a range of issues, from bolstering the US's international influence to improving the lives of low-income people. The letter affirms his and your views on American exceptionalism and presents ways that policy needs to drive that vision as it evolves.

A major theme in Dimon's letter is the importance of global peace in furthering America's ambitions and the belief that the US should use its power and influence to ensure stability.? Does that sound unreasonable to you??? I doubt it!

Where you and he might butt heads a little is on Ukraine, but I’m sure you’ll both agree that American leadership is crucial in resolving the war there.

?"Ukraine's struggle is our struggle," Dimon writes.

While a significant number of Republicans in Congress oppose more aid to Ukraine, Dimon says that Ukraine requires the US's help "immediately" and that aid to Ukraine will flow back into the American economy since many of the weapons and equipment used in the war are made in the US.

Dimon’s letter emphasizes that the West needs to project "unquestioned military might." He writes that "the specter of nuclear weapons — probably still the greatest threat to mankind (besides climate change) — hovers as the ultimate decider, which should strike deep fear in all our hearts."

But the CEO says, as you well know, the US needs to flex its other muscles of power — economic policy, diplomacy, intelligence (AND WALLS?)— beyond military strength, and leaders like you need to explain why it's so important for the US to remain a major player on the world stage.

Rethinking global trade alliances

Dimon says that as the US reimagines its military alliances and strategies, it must do the same when it comes to economic policy. While the West may have overlooked China at its own peril, it's time to "just fix it," which means engaging "thoughtfully" with China — without fear just as you had Xi Jinping with you at Mar a Lago and those friendly chats with Vladimir Putin who admires you.

Done properly, such a strategy as you and Dimon could implement would help strengthen, coalesce and possibly be the glue that has held Western democratic alliances together over decades.

Yes, while you might disagree on whether the US should reenter the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which you pulled out of early into your tenure to focus instead on one-on-one trade policies, you will no doubt agree on other policy measures, which Dimon feels are necessary to bolster industries important to one of your priorities--national security.?

Among them, he cites the semiconductor and rare-earth-minerals sectors, but he too believes the government's role should generally be more limited. For example, he says the government should set specific rules on tax policy but take a smaller role in setting broad social policies.? Wouldn’t you agree?

Any industrial policy should have what he calls "twin provisions" such as limitations on political interference, like mandating social policy, and a reduced government role in permitting requirements.? I’m sure you’d concur.

More broadly, Dimon says the country needs to rethink international economic rules and structure. He envisions a potentially "reimagined" Bretton Woods — the agreement that originally created the International Monetary Fund.

The fraying of the American dream

Dimon identifies two key issues driving domestic unrest — the heated debate around immigration and border security and "the fraying of the American dream."

He believes that Congress should take stronger action on border control and push for policies to drive economic growth.

He believes that citizens losing trust in the government is "damaging to society," and the government needs to take decisive action to improve economic conditions for low-income and rural Americans and those who feel "left behind."?

On that score, I’d say you both are in the same corner in championing a strong, resilient economy.? "And to be fair, business could use its influence to do less to further its own interest and more to enhance the nation as a whole," he said.

Dimon points to the growth in wage inequality, saying that "wrong" policy decisions have failed lower-earning Americans. Dimon said that all jobs — even "starter jobs" — should be viewed with respect.? I’m sure you feel the same way.

He points to two ways to help improve economic equality. First, he believes that educational institutions, including high schools and community colleges, should be "judged on the quality and income level" of the jobs graduates (or nongraduates) get. He also says that workers need job-skills training to fill roles that are available in the tech industry.

"We already spend a tremendous amount of money on education — just not the right way," Dimon writes.? He also believes Congress should expand the earned income tax credit, providing a tax break to moderate- and low-income families.

In Dimon's vision, that credit would be available to all lower-income workers — without proration for those without children — and turned into a "negative income payroll tax, paid monthly," which could be in the form of monthly checks or a paycheck boost.

Dimon says that while the US faces "complex and difficult tasks ahead," he

believes like you that our country will be able to rise to meet those challenges.

"I remain with a deep and abiding faith in the strength of the enduring values of America," he writes.?

Yes, I believe in heart and brain, you two would be a herculean ticket.

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Tom Madden is most of the time a fan of President Trump, but dreams of prepping him for media interviews as he has done for the chairmen and presidents of some of the largest companies in America, from AT&T to Kellogg’s when they were public relations clients or had sought his counsel for crisis management.? When he was the #2-ranked executive at NBC, he would prep his then boss, the president of NBC, Fred Silverman, on his interviews and speeches he write.? Some of Madden’s speeches were published in The New York Times.? Today Madden is CEO of the international PR firm, TransMedia Group , and author of several books, his latest WORDSHINE MAN, on how to make writing inviting.