Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz tells CNBC that he talks every week to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who is pushing to cut the cost of President Joe Biden’s sweeping economic plan.
“Joe is the most important guy in D.C. — maybe the most important guy in America today,” said Peltz, who had previously been a big supporter of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Peltz’s Florida home had been the sight of a fundraiser for Trump in early 2020 with couples kicking in $580,600 to support the then-president’s reelection, according to The Washington Post.
But after the Jan. 6 violent protest at the Capitol, Peltz had said he was “sorry” for voting for Trump in 2020, CNBC noted.
Peltz, who founded the investment management firm Trian Partners, said during an interview on CNBC’s “Halftime Report,” that he and Manchin have been friends for 10 years.
“I call him every week and say, ‘Joe, you’re doing great. Stay tough. Stay tough, buddy.’ He’s phenomenal,” Peltz said.
CNBC noted Manchin, along with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., has been fighting to cut the cost of Biden’s plan, which had initially been set at $3.5 trillion. However, it is now estimated to cost about $1.5 trillion to $1.9 trillion.
CNBC reported Peltz has donated to Manchin in the past, along with some Republican candidates, as well as moderate Democrats.
Forbes estimated his net worth to be $1.7 billion.
