Under Armour CEO resigns fromTrump’s council in the wake of Charlottesville response

While other CEOs have condemned racism after the weekend’s white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, only two had left the council as of Monday night.

President Trump’s initial failure to condemn white supremacy on Saturday was too much for Kenneth Frazier.

Early Monday morning, the head of the pharma giant Merck — and one of America’s most prominent black CEOs — abruptly quit Trump’s manufacturing council.

Frazier’s message was clear: “America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy.”

Trump quickly responded by bashing Frazier. He tweeted that the Merck CEO “will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!”

Hours later, Trump denounced the KKK, neo-Nazis and White supremacists as “repugnant.”

Throughout the day, other CEOs on the manufacturing council condemned racism after the weekend’s white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. But by Monday night, only one other had joined Frazier in leaving.

Under Armour’s Kevin Plank had earlier tweeted a strong rejection of racism. Then, just after 8 p.m. ET, his company released a statement saying that he would step down.

“Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics,” Plank said.

Source: CEOs outraged after Charlottesville – and two quit Trump council – Aug. 14, 2017