Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, will remain on a presidential advisory panel, declining to join an exodus of executives that began with his counterpart at Merck, who stepped down in response to President Trump’s initially tepid criticism of the white nationalists at the center of the violent protests over the weekend in Charlottesville, Va.
“In the end, I have concluded that Johnson & Johnson has a responsibility to remain engaged, not as a way to support any specific political agenda, but as a way to represent the values of Our Credo as crucial public policy is discussed and developed,” Gorsky said in a statement released by J&J on Tuesday afternoon.
Four top business leaders have left Trump’s manufacturing council in protest, turning what was a fairly obscure presidential panel into an unlikely locus of political debate. Gorsky said in his statement that he “respect[s] their decision as a matter of personal conscience.”
Good for J&J.
The decision to remain on the advisory council is unacceptable and cowardly. The fact that the racist coward in the White House disbanded the council today doesn’t save JNJ. Will be selling my stock in this company and evaluating alternative products so I can purge my home of their products. I am beyond disappointed in JNJ.
Hope you sell many shares, I’ll gladly buy on the dip. You must not need that fat dividend either that J&J gives, but I’ betting you won’t send the mony back.
Feel nothing but contempt for J and J. The deregulation of medicines fully serves their agenda. Read up on their psych meds. The executives of this once trusted ‘family’ company will rot in hell (if there is one) beside their tobacco industry brothers. The worst.
Presidential Advisory Groups are more sizzle than steak, generally unproductive, buff and butt stops (buff the resume, kiss some presidentual butt).