BlackRock has removed a years-old advertisement featuring Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who shot and injured former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Crooks was one of several students featured in a 2022 ad that showcased an advanced placement and honors economics teacher at Bethel Park High School, near Pittsburgh. The advertisement, like others produced by the investment firm, highlighted BlackRock’s role in managing retirement plans for teachers across the U.S.
Crooks appeared twice in the ad for a total of two seconds as one of several unpaid students in the background. BlackRock announced that it has made all video footage available to authorities and removed the video out of respect for the victims.
In addition to Trump, who was injured but is safe, at least three others were harmed during the shooting. Pennsylvania residents David Dutch and James Copenhaver are in stable condition, according to state police. Corey Comperatore of Sarver, Pennsylvania, was killed during the attack.
“The assassination attempt on former President Trump is abhorrent,” BlackRock stated. “We’re thankful former President Trump wasn’t seriously injured and are thinking about all the innocent bystanders and victims of this awful act, especially the person who was killed.” The firm also condemned political violence and expressed its commitment to promoting civility and unity in the country.
The advertisement was discovered on Sunday by Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist and former Republican Congressional candidate. It quickly attracted the attention of conspiracy theorists, some of whom falsely claimed that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by BlackRock.
“Ties discovered between Blackrock and Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, featured in their programming,” Rumble livestreamer Matt Wallace wrote on X. “THIS WAS ALL PLANNED,” he added.
Separately, BlackRock reported its second-quarter earnings on Monday. The New York-based firm’s profit rose 11% year-over-year, with an 8% increase in revenue. It now manages a record $10.64 trillion in assets for clients, a 13% increase from last year.