The CEO of Under Armour resigned from President Trump’s American Manufacturing Council Monday, saying his company “engages in innovation and sports, not politics.”
“I joined the American Manufacturing Council because I believed it was important for Under Armour to have an active seat at the table and represent our industry. We remain resolute in our potential and ability to improve American manufacturing. However, Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics,” CEO Kevin Plank said in a statement.
“I am appreciative of the opportunity to have served, but have decided to step down from the council. 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."
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
Plank is now the second CEO to step down from the council this week.
Earlier Monday Merck CEO Ken Frazier announced he was leaving the council over the way Trump initially responded to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday.
"Our country's strength stems from its diversity and the contributions made by men and women of different faiths, races, sexual orientations and political beliefs," 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. As CEO of Merck and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism."
The president then took to Twitter to criticize Frazier, saying he and the pharmaceutical company would now “have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!”
On Monday, Trump issued an additional statement condemning Saturday’s violence.
“[R]acism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs. Including the KKK, nao-nazis, and white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans,” the president said.
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