It seems like yesterday that a CEO of a huge corporation left the Trump administration — oh wait, it WAS!
We reported that Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier resigned from his advisory role, and now it looks like two other CEOs are joining him.
According to the Associated Press, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank and Intel CEO Brian Krzanich have also bid farewell to the White House’s American Manufacturing Council.
Frazier’s resignation resulted in a Twitter outburst by the president, but this new wave of exits wasn't met with the same rancor.
For every CEO that drops out of the Manufacturing Council, I have many to take their place. Grandstanders should not have gone on. JOBS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2017
Perhaps the president's tired out.
While the president didn't have a lot to say on the matter, the rest of Twitter did, with the hashtag #quitthecouncil trending.
Disagreement is not grandstanding. These CEOs are loyal to Country, loyal to Ideals–not to racist authoritarians. #quitthecouncil
— Bill Shapiro (@Bill_Shapiro) August 15, 2017
Trump says that everyone on his manufacturing council is replaceable. If they have any self respect left they'd #QuitTheCouncil now. #Resist
https://t.co/UAHmTwlVUD— Scott Dworkin (@funder) August 15, 2017
Thank you Mr. Plank for parting ways w/the worst President in our history. Hope others follow suit. #QuitTheCouncil
#HeatherHeyer
https://t.co/isZOr0c1Ar— Anne Stephen❤️????????☮ (@anne_stephen5) August 15, 2017
Many also called for the remaining CEOs to turn in their resignations to the president.
RETWEET to urge the REMAINING CEOs of @realdonaldtrump manufacturing council to #quitthecouncil
Business leaders, listen to public setiment pic.twitter.com/ZbFQQUPi4S
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) August 15, 2017
CEOs: #QuitTheCouncil and I guarantee you see an uptick in sales. Make it a financial decision if making it a political one feels icky.
— Alexander Hamilton (@lexhamilton76) August 15, 2017
.@JeffImmelt & @generalelectric You can't claim not to tolerate racism and yet tolerate it when it suits your needs. #quitthecouncil
— Bill Shapiro (@Bill_Shapiro) August 15, 2017
Mark Fields, get @Ford tough and #quitthecouncil. Show #DonaldTrump you won't be complicit when it comes to #racism and #hate
— Brian Johnson (@TheStarsFan) August 15, 2017
Hey, @whirlpoolusa … it's time to stand up for what is right. People will remember those who took a stand! #quitthecouncil
— HotAndBothered (@StandUpBecause) August 15, 2017
What did the two most recent CEOs to leave have to say about their departure?
Plank stated that his company “engages in innovation and sports, not politics” and while he didn’t explicitly mention Charlottesville, he assured all that Under Armour is dedicated to promoting “unity, diversity and inclusion.”
I love our country & company. I am stepping down from the council to focus on inspiring & uniting through power of sport. – CEO Kevin Plank pic.twitter.com/8YvndJMjj1
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) August 15, 2017
Krzanich was a bit more explicit in his statement, urging leaders to chastise “white supremacists and their ilk," and noting his disappointment in politicians who “seem more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them” than with calling for tolerance.
There should be no hesitation in condemning hate speech or white supremacy by name. #Intel asks all our countries leadership to do the same
— Brian Krzanich (@bkrunner) August 14, 2017
I stand with others for equality and improving US competitiveness. Both require
improving in todays environment. https://t.co/RcjpGaFXBQ— Brian Krzanich (@bkrunner) August 15, 2017
Brookings Institution senior fellow William Galston told the AP that he expects we'll see more of Trump's rambunctious side in the wake of these departures.
"We've learned that as president, Mr. Trump is behaving exactly as he did as a candidate," Galston said. "He knows only one mode: When attacked, hit back harder."
