Remember, Trump's shooter (Thomas Crook) was in a Blackstone commercial….33=Freemasonry!==
https://x.com/wakeywa44739081/status/1950016784565727435
I asked Grok if Blackstone and BlackRock are connected. Here's the answer:
Yes, Blackstone and BlackRock are historically connected but are now separate entities with distinct operations. Here’s a clear explanation of their relationship:Shared Origins: BlackRock was founded in 1988 as "Blackstone Financial Management" under the umbrella of The Blackstone Group, founded in 1985 by Stephen Schwarzman and Peter Peterson. Larry Fink, BlackRock’s current CEO, and his team received initial funding and a 50% stake from Blackstone in exchange for a $5 million credit line. The name "BlackRock" was deliberately chosen to reflect its connection to Blackstone, with "Black" from Schwarzman and "Rock" from Peterson.
Separation in 1994: Due to differing visions—Fink focused on asset management and risk management, while Schwarzman emphasized private equity and alternative investments—BlackRock split from Blackstone. In 1994, Blackstone sold its stake in BlackRock to PNC Financial Services for $240 million, a decision Schwarzman later called a "heroic mistake" due to BlackRock’s massive growth. By 1995, BlackRock was fully independent, managing $53 billion in assets.
Current Status: Today, BlackRock and Blackstone are entirely separate companies with different business models:BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager, with over $11.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM) as of 2024, focusing on traditional investments like stocks, bonds, and ETFs (e.g., iShares), and serving both institutional and retail investors.
Blackstone is the world’s largest private equity firm, managing about $1 trillion in AUM, specializing in alternative investments like private equity, real estate, and credit, primarily for high-net-worth individuals and institutions.
Ongoing Confusion: The similar names, chosen intentionally, and their proximity in New York (offices near each other on Park Avenue) contribute to public confusion. Some X posts speculate about deeper connections, noting BlackRock’s ownership of 4.9% of Blackstone’s shares as of 2023, but this is a common institutional investment and doesn’t indicate control or operational ties.
No Current Corporate Link: Despite their shared history and occasional overlap in investment spaces (e.g., BlackRock’s acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners in 2024 to expand into alternatives, a space where Blackstone is dominant), they operate independently with no corporate affiliation. Claims on X suggesting they are "controlled" by the same entities (e.g., Vanguard) reflect common ownership patterns among public companies but lack evidence of coordinated control.
In summary, Blackstone and BlackRock share a historical connection but have been separate since 1994, pursuing distinct investment strategies. Their similar names and past ties fuel ongoing misconceptions, but they are independent financial giants.