After the revolt of the United States Capitol, Twitter Inc. banned President Trump’s social media account. Editor Simon & Schuster canceled the publication of a book by Senator Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), who led a challenge to the results of the Electoral College’s presidential race, and Airbnb Inc. he said it would block the reservation of people involved in the violence. rooms. Stripe Inc. stopped processing direct payments from the Trump campaign website.
Marriott International Inc. companies at Walmart Inc. they stopped donations to dozens of Republican lawmakers who voted against certifying the Electoral College votes, and some demanded reimbursements.
“Words alone are not enough. We are committed to action, “wrote Jim Fitterling, CEO of Dow Inc., in a note telling employees that the chemical maker stopped political donations to any Republican who opposed certifying the president’s victory. elected Joe Biden for one election cycle, two years for members of the House, and up to six for senators.
It was a long way from the days when companies struggled to look apolitical, embodying — not always up to par — the opinion of the late economist Milton Friedman that “business is business.”
“We’re seeing a convergence of social issues that were previously outside the realm of what business executives would comment on,” said Judy Samuelson, founder and executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Business and Society Program, a think tank, and author of “The Six New Business Rules,” which deals with these changes. “The general rule was that if there’s no direct connection to our business model or something we love, it’s basically that we’re moving away from politics.”