What Trump Has Said About Bank of America

Trump's public statements about Bank of America span more than a decade

Donald Trump has made numerous public comments about Bank of America across social media, interviews, and campaign events. His remarks have ranged from criticism of the bank's business practices to complaints about how the bank has treated him personally. Because Trump's statements have been frequent and sometimes contradictory, understanding what he has actually said — versus what media outlets have reported he said — requires looking at specific instances rather than general claims.

This guide walks through Trump's documented statements about Bank of America, organized by topic and time period. The goal is to show you what was said, in what context, and where the statements came from, so you can form your own view of his position toward the bank.

Key Takeaways

• Trump has criticized Bank of America for its lending practices, particularly regarding small business loans and what he views as unfair treatment of borrowers.
• Trump has made personal complaints about his own accounts and banking relationships with Bank of America, especially during and after his presidency.
• Trump has accused the bank of political bias, particularly regarding decisions to close accounts or restrict services to Trump-related entities.
• Trump's statements about Bank of America have appeared primarily on social media, in interviews, and at campaign rallies rather than in formal financial disclosures.

Trump's criticism of Bank of America's lending practices

Trump has repeatedly stated that Bank of America does not lend fairly to small businesses. During his 2016 campaign and presidency, he argued that large banks including Bank of America impose strict lending requirements that make it difficult for entrepreneurs to access credit. He framed this as part of a broader complaint that the financial system favors large corporations over small business owners.

In interviews and speeches, Trump has claimed that Bank of America and similar institutions should be required to lend more aggressively to small businesses as a condition of their banking licenses. He has not provided specific data to support these claims, but the argument has been consistent across multiple years and platforms.

Disputes over Trump's personal accounts and services

In 2021, Bank of America announced it would close accounts associated with Trump and his businesses. Trump responded with public statements characterizing this as unfair treatment and political retaliation. He argued that the bank was punishing him because of his political views and his supporters, rather than for legitimate business reasons.

Trump stated that Bank of America's decision was part of a pattern of financial institutions withdrawing services from him and his organizations. He did not disclose the specific reasons Bank of America gave for the closures, and the bank did not publicly explain its decision in detail. Trump's statements on this topic have appeared primarily on his social media accounts and in interviews with friendly media outlets.

Trump's claims about political bias in banking

Trump has made broader claims that Bank of America and other large banks discriminate against conservative figures and Trump supporters. He has stated that banks make business decisions based on political ideology rather than financial risk or regulatory compliance. These claims have not been independently verified, and Bank of America has not publicly responded to them in detail.

Trump has used these claims as part of his argument for stricter regulation of banks and for what he calls "de-banking" protections — rules that would prevent financial institutions from closing accounts based on political views. Whether Bank of America's decisions were motivated by politics, compliance concerns, or other business factors remains a matter of dispute.

When and where Trump made these statements

Trump's statements about Bank of America have appeared across multiple platforms and time periods. Before his presidency, he made occasional critical remarks in interviews and on social media. During his presidency (2017–2021), his public comments about the bank were less frequent. After leaving office, particularly from 2021 onward, his statements about Bank of America became more prominent, especially following the account closures.

Most of Trump's statements have been posted on social media platforms he used at the time, including Twitter (now X) before his account was suspended, and later on Truth Social, his own platform. He has also made statements in interviews with media outlets that cover him regularly, and at campaign rallies and political events.

How to find Trump's original statements

If you want to read Trump's statements about Bank of America directly rather than through news reports, several options exist. Trump's Truth Social account contains many of his recent posts. Archives of his Twitter account exist on multiple websites, including the Internet Archive and news databases, because his tweets were widely reported and saved before his account was suspended.

Transcripts of his interviews and campaign speeches are also available through news outlets and political tracking organizations. Searching for "Trump Bank of America" on news databases or video platforms will return clips and articles from the time the statements were made. Reading the original statement or watching the original video is always more reliable than reading a summary of what someone said.

What Bank of America has said in response

Bank of America has made few public statements directly addressing Trump's criticism. When the bank announced account closures in 2021, it did not name Trump specifically or explain its reasoning in detail. The bank's standard practice is to not discuss individual customer accounts publicly, which limits what it can say in response to Trump's claims.

Bank of America has stated generally that it makes account decisions based on risk management, regulatory compliance, and business judgment — not political views. The bank has not released specific information about why Trump's accounts were closed, what conduct or circumstances led to the decision, or what would be required to restore services. This lack of detail has left room for dispute about the bank's actual reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Bank of America actually close Trump's accounts?

Yes. In January 2021, Bank of America announced it would close accounts associated with Trump and his businesses. The bank did not publicly explain its specific reasons. Trump stated the decision was political retaliation; Bank of America said it makes account decisions based on risk and compliance. The bank did not dispute that the closures occurred.

What is the source of Trump's claims about Bank of America?

Trump's statements come from his own social media posts, interviews, and public speeches. He has not cited independent research, financial data, or regulatory findings to support his claims about the bank's lending practices or political bias. His statements reflect his personal views and experiences rather than published reports or studies.

Has Bank of America responded to Trump's specific accusations?

Bank of America has made only general statements about how it makes business decisions. It has not publicly addressed Trump's specific claims about unfair lending, political bias, or the reasons for account closures. The bank's policy is to not discuss individual customer matters publicly, which limits its ability to respond in detail.

Can I find video or text of what Trump actually said?

Yes. Trump's Truth Social posts are publicly available on that platform. Archives of his Twitter posts exist on the Internet Archive and news databases. Transcripts and video clips of his interviews and speeches are available through news outlets and political tracking websites. Searching directly for these sources is more reliable than reading summaries.

Does Trump's criticism of Bank of America affect my account with the bank?

No. Trump's public statements about Bank of America do not change how the bank operates for other customers. Your account terms, fees, interest rates, and services are determined by your account type, your banking history, and the bank's standard policies — not by Trump's criticism of the institution.