Read statements from the CEOs that have criticized the White House’s reaction to events in Charlottesville
Donald Trump’s response to the violence in Charlottesville has been criticized by many CEOs, both those who have served on Trump advisory boards and those who haven’t.
After a woman was killed by a self-identified white nationalist who rammed his car into a crowd at a racially-charged rally in Charlottesville, Va., Trump, in his first statement Saturday and at a press conference on Monday, said the violence was caused by « both sides. »
In total, eight CEOs left the President’s Manufacturing Council by Wednesday afternoon, at which point the President announced he was closing down both the Manufacturing Council and his Economic Strategy and Policy Forum. Since then, CEOs like Apple’s Tim Cook and others have continued to speak out against the President’s comments.
Here are the executives who had some choice words aimed at the President:
The only African-American on Trump’s manufacturing council became the first to resign his role on that council on Monday.
In a statement released on Twitter he said: « America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal. »
Plank resigned the manufacturing council shortly after Trump’s comments, saying that Under Armour « engages in innovation and sports, not politics. »
« I love our country and our company and will continue to focus my efforts on inspiring every person that they can do anything through the power of sport which promotes unity, diversity and inclusion, » Plank’s statement said.
Krzanich became the third member of Trump’s ill-fated manufacturing council to resign late on Monday. « I have already made clear my abhorrence at the recent hate-spawned violence in Charlottesville, and earlier today I called on all leaders to condemn the white supremacists and their ilk who marched and committed violence, » he said in a blog post on the company’s website. « I resigned because I want to make progress, while many in Washington seem more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them. We should honor – not attack – those who have stood up for equality and other cherished American values. I hope this will change, and I remain willing to serve when it does. »
The Pepsi CEO tweeted to say that she was « heartbroken » over Charlottesville.
Microsoft’s CEO emailed a memo to his leadership team on Aug. 14, saying that there is no place in society for the « bias, bigotry and senseless violence » that happened in Charlottesville. Quartz obtained a copy of the email, which went on to say: « At Microsoft, we strive to seek out differences, celebrate them and invite them in. As a leader, a key part of your role is creating a culture where every person can do their best work, which requires more than tolerance for diverse perspectives. »
In an internal memo that was later published on Walmart’s website, the CEO said: « As we watched the events and the response from President Trump over the weekend, we too felt that he missed a critical opportunity to help bring our country together by unequivocally rejecting the appalling actions of white supremacists. »
Cook sent a note, obtained by Recode, to all Apple employees on Wednesday announcing that Apple would donate $1 million to the Southern Law Poverty Center and the Anti-Defamation League.
“Like so many of you, equality is at the core of my beliefs and values, ” he wrote. “The events of the past several days have been deeply troubling for me, and I’ ve heard from many people at Apple who are saddened, outraged or confused. What occurred in Charlottesville has no place in our country. Hate is a cancer, and left unchecked it destroys everything in its path. Its scars last generations. History has taught us this time and time again, both in the United States and countries around the world.”
J. P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who was on the Strategic and Policy Forum, condemned the President through a note to employees. « Racism, intolerance and violence are always wrong, » he said. « The equal treatment of all people is one of our nation’s bedrock principles. There is no room for equivocation here: the evil on display by these perpetrators of hate should be condemned and has no place in a country that draws strength from our diversity and humanity. »
Thurlin resigned from Trump’s manufacturing council on Wednesday morning, saying: « I joined the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative in January to advocate for policies that align with our values and encourage even stronger investment and job growth – in order to make the United States stronger, healthier and more prosperous for all people. After careful consideration, I believe the initiative is no longer an effective vehicle for 3M to advance these goals. »
The IBM CEO said in a letter to employees that the President’s Strategy and Policy Forum disbanded because the group « can no longer serve the purpose for which it was formed. »
« The despicable conduct of hate groups in Charlottesville last weekend, and the violence and death that resulted from it, shows yet again that our nation needs to focus on unity, inclusion, and tolerance, » Rometty’s letter added.
Zuckerberg broke his silence on Charlottesville late on Wednesday by saying in a Facebook post that the social network had taken down any post that promotes extremism or terrorism.
« The last few days have been hard to process, » he said. « I know a lot of us have been asking where this hate comes from. As a Jew, it’s something I’ve wondered much of my life. It’s a disgrace that we still need to say that neo-Nazis and white supremacists are wrong — as if this is somehow not obvious. My thoughts are with the victims of hate around the world, and everyone who has the courage to stand up to it every day. »
Barra was on Trump’s manufacturing council but did not resign before it was disbanded on Wednesday. After, she posted a statement to say that the company was « about unity and inclusion. »
« Recent events, particularly those in Charlottesville, Virginia, and its aftermath, require that we come together as a country and reinforce values and ideals that unite us – tolerance, inclusion and diversity – and speak against those which divide us – racism, bigotry and any politics based on ethnicity, » she added.
The J&J CEO originally publicly committed to staying on Trump’s advisory council. However, he then jumped ship after the President’s press conference on Tuesday and resigned just as Trump was disbanding the council.
« Johnson & Johnson has and always will be deeply committed to Our Credo values. And I believe, very strongly, that hatred and bigotry of any kind have no place in our society.
