Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier resigned from President Trump's American Manufacturing Council, following Trump's initially weak response to violence at the white supremacists rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
After the white nationalist rally turned deadly when a car drove into a group of counter protesters, Trump initially responded by saying many sides were to blame -- failing to denounce white supremacists.
Pinned to the top of Merck’s twitter page is Frazier's statement:
“I am resigning from the President’s American Manufacturing Council. Our country’s strength stem from its diversity and the contributions made by men and women of different faiths, races, sexual orientation and political beliefs. America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal. As CEO of Merck and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism.”
Trump then fired back on Twitter, stating: “Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President's Manufacturing Council, he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!”
Business Insider recently named the remaining members of the Council and where they stand given Frazier's resignation.