BlackRock has withdrawn an advertisement from years ago that featured Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman accused of shooting and injuring former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Crooks was among several students shown in a 2022 ad showcasing an advanced placement and honors economics teacher from Bethel Park High School, near Pittsburgh. The advertisement, similar to other commercials produced by BlackRock, emphasized the company’s role in managing retirement plans for teachers across the United States.
Appearing twice in the ad for a total of two seconds, Crooks was one of several unpaid students featured in the background, according to BlackRock. The firm stated it will provide all video footage to authorities and has removed the video “out of respect for the victims.”
Alongside Trump, who was injured but is safe, at least three others were harmed during the incident. Pennsylvania residents David Dutch and James Copenhaver are in stable condition, while Corey Comperatore from Sarver, Pennsylvania, was tragically killed during the assassination attempt, according to state police.
BlackRock condemned the attempted assassination on Trump as “abhorrent” in a statement. “We’re thankful former President Trump wasn’t seriously injured and thinking about all the innocent bystanders and victims of this awful act, especially the person who was killed.” The firm added its condemnation of political violence and committed to promoting civility and unity in the country.
The advertisement was found on Sunday by Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist and former Republican congressional candidate, who posted it online. Conspiracy theorists quickly began making baseless claims that the assassination attempt was orchestrated, at least partly, 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 announced its second-quarter earnings on Monday, reporting an 11% year-over-year increase in profit and an 8% rise in revenue. The New York-based firm now manages a record $10.64 trillion in assets for clients, marking a 13% increase compared to last year.