Former President Donald Trump has launched a legal nuclear strike against Wall Street giant JPMorgan Chase, alleging a conspiracy to "debank" him.

In a move that fuses his legal woes with his political comeback strategy, Trump is suing the bank and its CEO, Jamie Dimon, for a colossal Sh645 billion ($5 billion). The lawsuit claims that the bank systematically discriminated against his businesses, closing accounts and blocking transactions due to "political bias." It is a clash of titans: the populist firebrand versus the establishment's favorite banker.

Weaponizing the Courts

This lawsuit is classic Trump: high stakes, high visibility, and framed as a battle for the "little guy" against the elites.

• The Allegation: "Debanking"—the practice of closing accounts for reputational reasons—has become a rallying cry for conservatives. Trump claims he is the ultimate victim.
• The Target: Jamie Dimon is not just a CEO; he is the face of American capitalism. Dragging him into court is a calculated disruption.
• The Timing: Coming amidst his other legal battles, this turns the tables, putting Trump on the offensive.

The Kenyan Banking Context

The concept of "debanking" is not alien to Kenya. We have seen crackdowns on accounts linked to "Wash Wash" or political corruption scandals. However, a lawsuit of this magnitude—Sh645 billion—is larger than the entire budget of most Kenyan ministries. It highlights the sheer scale of the American legal-industrial complex. If a Kenyan politician sued a tier-1 bank like Equity or KCB for political discrimination, it would paralyze the system. Trump’s move serves as a reminder: in the US, law is politics by other means.

As the case heads to discovery, expect fireworks. Whether he wins or loses, Trump has already achieved his goal: dominating the news cycle and rallying his base against the "woke" financial system.