[Text/Observer Network Liu Chenghui]
"Is it really just a coincidence?" In the past two days, as the assassination of Trump continued to ferment, an advertisement launched by the global asset management giant BlackRock two years ago was abroad. Going viral on social media - netizens were shocked to discover that 20-year-old gunman Crooks had appeared on camera twice.
BlackRock has now withdrawn the controversial commercial. A spokesperson for the company also responded to this on July 14, local time. The advertisement circulated on
social media lasts about 30 seconds. The scene is a school. The subtitles in the film read: "BlackRock helps manage the pension asset plan covering about half of American public school teachers."
Crooks first appeared at the 4-second mark of the commercial. In the film, he sat around a table with three other students, listening to the teacher standing in front of the whiteboard.
When the ad reaches 19 seconds, Crooks appears for the second time. This time the camera gave him a close-up, but it only lasted less than 1 second.
As this commercial was dug up by netizens, the connection between the asset management giant and the shooting became a hot topic among netizens.
BlackRock is the largest asset management group in the world. In the second quarter of this year, BlackRock's total assets under management reached a record $10.65 trillion, which is more than the GDP of Germany and France combined.
BlackRock is also a major investor in firearms companies, including gunmaker Sturm Ruger and American Outdoor Brands, parent company of Smith & Wesson.
A report in Russia's "Izvestia" in May last year pointed out that financial strength is not BlackRock's only advantage. BlackRock also has immeasurable and huge political influence around the world. Not only is it a shareholder in many large financial and pharmaceutical companies, defense giants and media conglomerates, it also manages the Federal Reserve's bond-buying program.
A Reuters report in January this year revealed that the Ukrainian government last year invited BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase to help set up a fund to raise public capital, with the aim of attracting private investment for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction work. The estimated scale of funds is hundreds of billions of dollars. .
New York, United States, BlackRock headquarters building Bloomberg
According to a report by CBS on the 15th, BlackRock has withdrawn the advertisement after the commercial attracted widespread attention.
A spokesperson for BlackRock told the media on the 14th that this film is one of a series of advertisements for retired teachers’ asset management. It was produced in 2022 and was filmed at Bethel Park High School, where Crooks was a student at the time. s student. What is shown in the advertisement is the real teaching environment in the classroom. The company did not hire Crooks as an actor or pay him for the filming.
"In 2022, we ran an ad featuring a Bethel Park High School teacher, with several unpaid students briefly seen in the background, including Thomas Matthew Crooks," the spokesperson said. "We will provide the complete video clip to the relevant authorities, and out of respect for the victim, we have deleted the video to avoid further circulation."
BlackRock also condemned the attempted assassination of Trump. "The assassination attempt on former President Trump was abhorrent. We are thankful that former President Trump was not seriously injured... BlackRock strongly condemns any form of political violence and will do our part to promote civility and civility in the country." Unite."
Crooks was killed by the Secret Service after shooting Trump. The FBI is investigating the incident as an "assassination attempt" and currently believes that Crooks was a "lone wolf." attack, but his motive remains unclear.
Crooks was shot and killed by Secret Service agents. Social Media The location is approximately 35 miles (approximately 56 kilometers).FBI officials said Crooks was using an AR-style 5.56mm semi-automatic rifle that his father purchased legally, and they are investigating whether he took the gun without his knowledge.
Through interviews with Crooks’ classmates and neighbors, the American media described Crooks as “an introverted good person in the eyes of his classmates, but unfortunately he suffered from bullying and was often alone.”
No matter what Crooks’s motive was, this young white man with a high school degree had already made enough noise. The British "Financial Times" commented that this attempted assassination caused repercussions throughout the United States and further heightened tensions over the most polarizing presidential election in U.S. history.
This article is an exclusive manuscript of Observer.com and may not be reproduced without authorization.
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