Huh? Trump Declares, ‘They Wanna De-Bank You and We’re Going to De-Bank’

Former President Donald Trump spoke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Wednesday night and informed attendees they are the targets of a de-banking effort.

“De-banking” occurs when a bank refuses to house accounts belonging to people or organizations because the bank deems them to have too much legal or political risk.

Trump had just finished touting his substantial victory in Monday’s Iowa caucuses where he netted 51% of the vote, easily defeating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

“We did so well and I think we’re gonna have the same result here,” Trump said. “I really do. I think we’re gonna [unintelligible]. But we’re also going to place strong protections to stop banks and regulators from trying to de-bank you from your— you know, your political beliefs, what they do. They wanna de-bank you and we’re going to de-bank.”

“They wanna take away your rights,” he continued. “They wanna take away your country. The things they’re doing. All electric cars. Give me a break. If you want an electric car, great. But they don’t go far. They’re very expensive. They gotta be made in China. That’s why I think I’m gonna get the autoworkers to vote for Trump. You know, we’re having great, great talks. But think of what they wanna do. They wanna take away your rights.”

The former president did not elaborate, but is perhaps referring to a handful of instances in which JPMorgan Chase closed an account or denied service to a conservative organization. In one case, the bank said it closed an account because it needed more information about the account holder’s donors. In another, a subsidiary of the financial institution withdrew from a business deal related to a political fundraiser featuring Donald Trump Jr. JPMorgan ultimately reversed its decision.

It is unclear what Trump meant by, “We’re going to de-bank.”