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Charlottesville violence: Fourth executive exits Trump council Charlottesville violence: Fourth executive exits Trump council
(about 2 hours later)
A fourth executive has quit Donald Trump's American Manufacturing Council amid criticism of the president's response to a violent rally. US business leaders moved to distance themselves from President Donald Trump on Tuesday, amid mounting criticism over the president's response to a rally involving violent white supremacist groups.
Alliance for American Manufacturing president Scott Paul said on Twitter he was stepping down "because it's the right thing for me to do". Four executives have quit a White House business panel.
He follows Intel's Brian Krzanich, Under Armour head Kevin Plank and Merck's Ken Frazier. Other firms, including Walmart, issued statements separating themselves from the president.
President Trump took another shot at the departing CEOs in a tweet. Mr Trump took a shot at the departing CEOs in a tweet.
"For every CEO that drops out of the Manufacturing Council, I have many to take their place. Grandstanders should not have gone on. JOBS!" He posted on Tuesday."For every CEO that drops out of the Manufacturing Council, I have many to take their place. Grandstanders should not have gone on. JOBS!" He posted on Tuesday.
A woman died when a car rammed into protesters in Virginia on Saturday. Mr Trump has been widely rebuked for his initial response after a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, involving white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups became violent.
Mr Trump was widely rebuked for his initial response for not specifically denouncing the far right, instead ascribing blame to "many sides". In his first remarks, he did not specifically denounce the far right, instead ascribing blame to "many sides".
Bowing to pressure, the president issued a statement on Monday calling the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and white supremacists "repugnant" to everything Americans held dear.Bowing to pressure, the president issued a statement on Monday calling the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and white supremacists "repugnant" to everything Americans held dear.
"Racism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs," he told reporters.
'Diversity and inclusion''Diversity and inclusion'
Mr Plank sent out a tweet on Monday condemning racism. But the statement did not contain the fallout in the corporate community.
"We are saddened by #Charlottesville. There is no place for racism or discrimination in this world. We choose love & unity." On Tuesday, Scott Paul, the president of the business group the Alliance for American Manufacturing, became the fourth executive to say he would no longer participate.
Ten hours later Mr Plank released another statement on Under Armour's Twitter account announcing his resignation from the advisory body. Walmart, which typically avoids political controversy, also shared a statement from its chief executive, saying Mr Trump "missed a critical opportunity to help bring our country together by unequivocally rejecting the appalling actions of white supremacists".
"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." However, Walmart boss Doug McMillon did not say he would step down.
Soon after, Mr Krzanich announced in a blog post on Intel's website that he too was leaving the council "to call attention to the serious harm our divided political climate is causing to critical issues, including the serious need to address the decline of American manufacturing". Ken Frazier, the head of drugs giant Merck, led the walkout from the White House manufacturing council on Monday morning.
"Politics and political agendas have sidelined the important mission of rebuilding America's manufacturing base." One of only a handful of black leaders of Fortune 500 companies, Mr Frazier said he would no longer participate, calling it a matter of "personal conscience".
In an earlier tweet, he had also said "there should be no hesitation in condemning hate speech or white supremacy by name".
Both men in the past have expressed some admiration for Mr Trump.
Their resignations followed the departure of Ken Frazier, the head of drugs giant Merck, and one of only a handful of black leaders of Fortune 500 companies, on Monday morning.
Mr Frazier said: "I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism."Mr Frazier said: "I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism."
"America's leaders must honour our fundamental views by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal.""America's leaders must honour our fundamental views by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal."
In response, Mr Trump tweeted that Mr Frazier would now have "more time to lower rip off drug prices".In response, Mr Trump tweeted that Mr Frazier would now have "more time to lower rip off drug prices".
In January, Mr Trump had called on pharmaceutical companies to cut "astronomical" drug prices. Elsewhere Mr Frazier's decision was met with praise and sparked calls from the public for other leaders involved in Mr Trump's panels to follow suit.
Other company heads have previously stepped down from presidential advisory councils in protest at Mr Trump's policies. Kevin Plank, the chief executive of sports apparel company Under Armour, said he was resigning on Monday night. His decision came after he faced backlash from shoppers - and some Under Armour-sponsored athletes - earlier this year when he praised Mr Trump's pro-business views.
Former Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick left the Business Advisory Council in February over the Trump administration's immigration policies. Intel boss Brian Krzanich also said he would resign on Monday.
In a blog post on Intel's website Mr Krzanich said he was leaving "to call attention to the serious harm our divided political climate is causing to critical issues, including the serious need to address the decline of American manufacturing".
"Politics and political agendas have sidelined the important mission of rebuilding America's manufacturing base."
Earlier business response
Other company heads have previously stepped down from presidential advisory councils in protest of Mr Trump's policies.
Former Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick left a business advisory council in February over the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Tesla's chief executive Elon Musk and Walt Disney's chief executive Robert Iger left the President's Strategic and Policy Forum in June, after Mr Trump said he would withdraw from the Paris climate accord.Tesla's chief executive Elon Musk and Walt Disney's chief executive Robert Iger left the President's Strategic and Policy Forum in June, after Mr Trump said he would withdraw from the Paris climate accord.
Mr Musk also left the manufacturing council.Mr Musk also left the manufacturing council.