Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank has announced his decision to leave President Trump’s manufacturing council. This move comes after President Trump’s reaction to the disastrous and horrific events in Charlottesville, VA, where White Nationalists engaged in dangerous protests with lethal results. Earlier, Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier stepped down from Trump’s council, which led to the president’s open bashing of Frazier and Merck on Twitter.
Kevin Plank asserts that “Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics” and reiterates his decision to step down. Earlier this year, Plank received criticism for his open praise for Donald Trump; Under Armour’s top athletes such as Steph Curry, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Misty Copeland, and more publicly voiced their disapproval to statements made by Plank.
Read the official statement below.
“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.
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.” – Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank