19 August, 2017
However, a report of the Strategy and Policy Forum disbanding was apparently decided individually by the group itself. Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was a member of the group.
First published August 15, 10:45 a.m. PT Updates, 11:22 a.m. adds context, 12:24 p.m. recasts story with comments from GE Chairman Jeff Immelt and Strategic and Policy Forum members, 2:22 p.m. adds comments from IBM CEO Ginni Rometty and a reputation management expert, 4:05 p.m. recasts story for clarity.
Some critics said that Trump's remarks did not come down harshly enough on the organizers, and a slew of high-profile CEOs, including IBM's Ginni Rometty, relinquished their roles on Trump's advisory councils.
The dissolution was a pre-emptive move by the embattled president as members of the two council were already debating their continued membership in the wake of the outrage that has trailed Mr Trump for equating white supremacists hate groups with protesters opposing them. These members included Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank and Merck CEO Kenneth C. Frazier.
Dimon also noted that Trump's statement during Tuesday's press conference, which placed blame on "both sides", was unacceptable. "In the past week, we have seen and heard of public events and statements that run counter to our values as a country and a company". "Thank you all!", Mr Trump tweeted on Wednesday. "IBM's commitment to these values remains robust, active and unwavering". General Motors is about unity and inclusion and so am I.
Sent to IBM's 380,000 employees, Rometty told staff about IBM's commitment to an open inclusive environment but described the rally as "despicable conduct" and that IBM maintains a 'no political action committee'.
"We have worked with every USA president since Woodrow Wilson", Rometty added.
"We have always believed that dialogue is critical to progress; that is why I joined the President's Forum earlier this year", Rometty wrote.
Wednesday afternoon, President Donald Trump tweeted his decision to end the Presidential manufacturing council, and the strategy and policy forum.
The group hoped to inform the White House before publicly announcing the decision, according to Bloomberg.
"IBM will continue to work with all parts of the government for policies that support job growth, vocational education and global trade, as well as fair and informed policies on immigration and taxation".
