These American corporations helped Nazi Germany. Don’t be surprised when corporations fall in line with Trump.

As corporate America is falling all over itself to appease America’s new “dictator on day one” some people are surprised at how many household brands are falling in line. Unfortunately, this is nothing new. To give historical context, we looked at the corporations that assisted Nazi Germany.

During World War II, American companies engaged in business activities that, directly or indirectly, supported Nazi Germany. These collaborations ranged from providing financial services to supplying essential materials and technology that bolstered the Nazi war effort or even utilized and profited from slave labor from Hitler’s concentration camps.

Here are the U.S. companies that cozied up to Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

1. Ford Motor Company

Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, was an outspoken anti-Semite and held sympathies toward Nazi ideology. In 1938, he received the Grand Cross of the German Eagle, a Nazi honor awarded to foreigners sympathetic to the regime. Ford’s German subsidiary, Ford-Werke, played a significant role in the Nazi war machine by producing military vehicles and equipment. The company also utilized forced labor, including prisoners of war and concentration camp inmates, under deplorable conditions. When the U.S. Army liberated Ford plants in Cologne and Berlin, they found foreign workers confined behind barbed wire.

2. General Motors (GM)

General Motors, through its German subsidiary Opel, was instrumental in supplying vehicles to the Nazi military. Alfred P. Sloan, GM’s president, was known for his opposition to the New Deal and had a favorable view of Hitler’s regime. Opel became one of Nazi Germany’s largest producers of tanks and aircraft, significantly contributing to the Blitzkrieg strategy. Despite the U.S. entering the war, GM maintained its operations in Germany, and after the war, the company was compensated $32 million by the U.S. government for the bombing of its German factories. Yes, GM supported Nazis and U.S. taxpayers reimbursed them after blowing up their German factory.

3. IBM

International Business Machines (IBM) played a pivotal role in the Nazi regime’s ability to efficiently carry out the Holocaust. Through its German subsidiary, Dehomag, IBM provided punch card machines that enabled the systematic categorization and tracking of individuals, particularly Jews. This technology facilitated the Nazis’ ability to conduct censuses, organize deportations, and manage concentration camp operations with chilling efficiency.

4. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola’s operations in Nazi Germany highlight the company’s efforts to maintain its market presence despite geopolitical tensions. When trade restrictions during the war made it difficult to import the syrup needed to produce Coca-Cola, the German subsidiary, led by Max Keith, developed a new beverage using available ingredients. This drink, named Fanta, allowed the company to continue operations and cater to German consumers throughout the war. After the war, Keith turned over the profits and the Fanta formula to the parent company, demonstrating a complex interplay of business acumen and ethical ambiguity.

5. Chase National Bank

Chase National Bank, now part of JPMorgan Chase, engaged in financial activities that supported the Nazi regime. The bank was involved in the sale of Nazi war bonds, known as Rückwanderer Marks, to German Americans, facilitating the flow of funds to Germany. Additionally, Chase’s Paris branch, under the direction of Carlos Niedermann, cooperated with German authorities by identifying and freezing the accounts of Jewish customers, effectively aiding in their persecution.

6. Standard Oil

Standard Oil, a major American oil company, had significant dealings with Nazi Germany, providing essential materials that fueled the German war effort. The company was involved in the production and supply of tetraethyl lead, a critical component of aviation fuel, which was indispensable for the Luftwaffe. These transactions continued even after the outbreak of war, raising serious ethical questions about the company’s priorities and the extent to which profit motives overshadowed moral considerations… although oil companies have historically been indifferent to “moral considerations.”

7. Dow Chemical

Dow Chemical supplied Germany with raw materials and technological expertise that were vital to the Nazi war machine. The company’s provision of chemicals and other resources enabled Germany to enhance its military capabilities, including the production of synthetic rubber and explosives.

8. Alcoa

The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) held a virtual monopoly on aluminum production, a metal crucial for aircraft manufacturing. Alcoa’s business dealings with Nazi Germany ensured a steady supply of aluminum, facilitating the expansion of the German air force. This collaboration not only aided the Nazi military but also contributed to material shortages that affected the Allied powers, including the United States.

9. Eastman Kodak

Eastman Kodak’s subsidiaries in Europe continued operations during the war, with some branches directly collaborating with the Nazi regime. In Germany, Kodak employed forced labor, including Jewish prisoners from concentration camps, in its factories. The company also maintained trade relations with Nazi-controlled territories through its subsidiaries in neutral countries.

10. International Telephone and Telegraph (IT&T)

IT&T, through its German subsidiaries, maintained business operations in Nazi Germany and even expanded its investments during the war. The company owned significant shares in Focke-Wulf, a German aircraft manufacturer that produced planes for the Luftwaffe. IT&T’s involvement extended to financial support, with allegations of cash payments to SS leader Heinrich Himmler. The company’s post-war claims for compensation for damages to its German assets further highlight the complexities of its wartime activities.

American Corporations and Oligarchs Snuggling With Trump

Numerous corporations and industry leaders have pledged substantial donations to support the inauguration of Donald Trump. These contributions reflect the strategic interests of these entities in aligning with the incoming administration.

Major Corporate Donors

Several prominent companies have each committed $1 million to the inaugural fund:

• Amazon: Beyond the monetary contribution, Amazon plans to stream the inauguration event on its Prime Video service, enhancing accessibility for viewers nationwide.
• Meta Platforms: The parent company of Facebook and Instagram, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has made a significant financial commitment, signaling a potential shift in its relationship with the Trump administration.
• OpenAI: CEO Sam Altman has personally pledged $1 million, expressing eagerness to support Trump’s efforts in advancing artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States.
• Uber Technologies: Both the company and its CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, have each donated $1 million, marking Khosrowshahi’s largest political contribution to date.
• Ford Motor Company and General Motors: Two companies from our list above, are providing fleets of vehicles for inauguration-related activities.
• Delta Air Lines: The airline has pledged $1 million, underscoring its commitment to engaging with the new administration. Delta is also looking forward to Trump undoing the Biden Administration consumer-friendly rules forced on airlines during his term.