Billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis has a message for anyone who thinks the midterms are just about domestic politics: America's adversaries are watching, and they have a plan.

Speaking Friday with FOX Business' Cheryl Casone on "Mornings with FOX Business," Catsimatidis warned that U.S. rivals including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea could seek to weaken President Donald Trump ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election.

The 'Evil Empire' Has One Goal

Catsimatidis argued that foreign rivals have a clear incentive to undermine Trump because of his tough negotiating approach.

“The evil empire, whether it’s Russia, North Korea, China, Iran, the evil empire will do anything to make sure that they cripple Trump in the Nov. 3 election,” Catsimatidis said.

Catsimatidis, chairman and CEO of Red Apple Group, said Trump's background as a businessman shapes his approach to international negotiations, potentially making him a greater obstacle for countries seeking economic or geopolitical advantages over the U.S.

"He’s not only a president, he is a businessman," Catsimatidis said.

Disappointment North of the Border

Catsimatidis also singled out Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, saying he was disappointed with the Canadian leader despite describing him as smart and someone he likes.

"I think he [Carney] feels the same way, that they’re gonna be able to take a bigger advantage of the United States if Trump was crippled," Catsimatidis said.

His comments come as the U.S. and Canada continue to navigate trade and broader economic tensions.

A Warning About Another 9/11

Reflecting on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Catsimatidis said he lost four friends and a cousin in the attacks.

He warned that younger Americans who did not experience 9/11 firsthand should not become complacent about national security threats.

"I believe that our country is under attack and that if we don’t keep our eyes open, there’ll be another 9/11," he said, adding that New York and Washington remain potential targets.

Catsimatidis ended with a direct appeal to voters: "Nov. 3, help save America, because we’re under attack in so many directions."

Catsimatidis is best known as the owner of the New York City supermarket chain Gristedes. He has an estimated net worth of $6.2 billion, according to Forbes.

Oil, Real Estate and a Big Check for Trump

He also owns United Refining, a Pennsylvania-based oil refinery he acquired out of bankruptcy, along with real estate holdings in New York and other markets.

In 2024, the Republican real estate and oil tycoon made his largest political contribution yet, donating $2.4 million to support Trump and congressional Republicans — nearly double what he gave in 2016, according to The Washington Post.

Trump's Approval Hits a New Low

Trump's approval rating has fallen to a new low amid the Iran war in the latest NBC News poll, with signs of weakening support among Republicans.

Trump's approval stands at 36%, down one point from the spring survey, while his disapproval rating has risen to 64%, the highest in the poll.

More concerning for Trump, support among Republican voters has also slipped. His approval among Republicans fell to 80% from 83%, while the share who strongly approve dropped to 41% from 52%.

It marks the first time in NBC News polling that fewer than half of Republicans strongly approved of Trump. The spring poll was conducted in March and April, while the latest survey ran from Aug. 20 through Sept. 1.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.