BlackRock Withdraws Ad Featuring Suspect in Trump Assassination Attempt

In a significant development following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, BlackRock has removed an advertisement featuring Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged gunman. Crooks, 20, is believed to have fired shots at a Trump campaign rally, injuring the former president and fatally wounding a bystander, Corey Comperatore, 50. The incident occurred during a rally in Pennsylvania, where Crooks reportedly struck Trump in the ear before being shot dead by law enforcement. The advertisement, which aired in 2022, included footage of Crooks among other students from Bethel Park High School, where he graduated. BlackRock confirmed that Crooks appeared briefly in the background of the ad, which has since sparked controversy as images of him circulated online following the shooting. The company expressed its dismay over the incident, labeling the assassination attempt as "abhorrent" and extending condolences to the victims and their families. In response to the tragic event, BlackRock has pledged to cooperate with authorities by providing all video footage from the advertisement. The firm emphasized its commitment to respecting the victims by removing the ad from circulation. The FBI has confirmed Crooks' death, and investigations into the shooting are ongoing, with the community mourning the loss of life and grappling with the implications of the violent act. As the situation unfolds, BlackRock's actions reflect a broader concern for public safety and the impact of violence on communities, particularly in the context of political events.