'I Could Have Banned Fishing': Donald Trump Reminds Billionaire CEO Johnny Morris Who Is in Charge

Donald Trump told billionaire Bass Pro Shops owner Johnny Morris that he, as US President, 'could have banned fishing' during a Rose Garden dinner at the White House on Thursday, laughing as he described using powers to put the retailer out of business.

The remarks followed Trump's signing of an executive order easing restrictions on hunters and anglers.

Addressing Morris, Trump linked the changes to potential fishing rod sales before suggesting he could impose a brief ban until the businessman called him for help.

Donald Trump Describes a Hypothetical Fishing Ban

Trump addressed Morris during the gathering, which brought together more than 100 guests from the hunting, fishing and outdoor industries.

He asked the businessman to stand as those present applauded and called him a 'great businessman'.

Later, still looking at Morris, Trump suggested he could have used his office to damage the company's business instead. 'I could have made it so you couldn't sell... you couldn't sell anything,' he said, with a slight laugh.

'I'll tell you what, the power of this office is crazy. I could have banned fishing and driven Johnny right the hell out of business, OK.' The president laughed, then described a brief ban that would last until Morris asked him to intervene.

'I think I'm gonna do that, maybe just a quick one, just for a day or two, until he calls me and says 'Please President please, you're putting me out of business, Sir.'' The quoted plea was part of Trump's imagined exchange with Morris. It was not a comment the businessman made during the dinner.

Trump returned to his script. The exchange concerned a hypothetical ban, rather than an announced restriction on fishing.

Fishing Rod Sales Feature in Donald Trump's Speech

Guests were served bison, according to Semafor's account of the dinner, which celebrated Trump's signing of the measure.

The executive order was intended to reverse Biden-era restrictions and change federal fisheries management. Its stated aims included modernising fisheries and removing restrictions considered unnecessary for hunters and anglers.

Trump told his audience that the order expanded fishing seasons and quotas, which he said had been restricted under former President Joe Biden. He presented those changes as an opportunity for Morris, whose shops sell equipment for fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor activities.

'That means you can sell a lot of fishing rods Johnny,' Trump said. He repeated the point with another prediction about the company's sales.

'You're going to sell a lot of rods.' Trump told the assembled guests that he had received '99 percent of your vote', adding, 'and why wouldn't I?' He then questioned whether they would have supported his 2024 Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.

'You gonna vote for Kamala? I don't think so.' Elsewhere in the speech, he questioned provisions concerning lead ammunition. After asking whether it was better than other ammunition, he said, 'I don't know what the hell that means.'

Johnny Morris's Business and Donald Trump Ties

Morris, 78, has previously supported Trump financially. Forbes reported that he contributed to Trump's 2020 campaign, while OpenSecrets recorded a 2024 donation to the Trump-aligned super PAC Turnout for America.

Forbes' valuations cited in the report put Morris's fortune above Trump's. The two men have previously featured in comparisons of its annual billionaire rankings.

The Daily Beast said it had contacted the White House and Bass Pro Shops for comment. Its report included no reply from either, and did not quote Morris responding to Trump's remarks about restricting fishing or putting the retailer out of business.

Morris started Bass Pro Shops in 1972. The company later bought its rival retailer, Cabela's, in 2017, doubling its size. His interests also include White River Marine Group, which manufactures fishing and recreational boats.