Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, Alex Gorsky, announced his resignation from President Trump's American Manufacturing Council just prior to Trump’s decision to end the councils.
The manufacturing council had seen a wave of defections since Monday, as business leaders determined that President Trump’s statements surrounding the Charlottesville incident warranted them leaving the council.
Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier was the first pharma exec to exit, announcing his resignation via Twitter.
Most recently, J&J’s Alex Gorsky stated,"The President’s most recent statements equating those who are motivated by race-based hate with those who stand up against hatred is unacceptable and has changed our decision to participate in the White House Manufacturing Advisory Council."
Trump announced via Twitter on Wednesday afternoon that he would end his executive councils. The President tweeted: "Rather than putting pressure on the businesspeople of the Manufacturing Council & Strategy & Policy Forum, I am ending both. Thank you all!"