June 1, 2017
Issues: Corporate Accountability, Fighting Bigotry
Muslim Civil Rights Group Responds to Second Defection from Trump Business Council, Encourages Others to Follow Suit
Scott Simpson, public advocacy director of Muslim Advocates, released the following statement in response to the announcement that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has resigned from President Trump’s business advisory council. This marks the second defection from the council after Travis Kalanick stepped down earlier this year in response to the Muslim ban executive orders:
“Two down, 17 more to go. Both Musk and Kalanick have sent the clear message that serving on President Trump’s business council is an endorsement of Trump’s policies.
Before stepping down, Musk acknowledged that he was unable to affect the positive change he envisioned by being on the council, tweeting that he had done “all I can” to prevent the administration from withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. Being a member of this council doesn’t position you to create positive change, it only soils your hands and makes you an accomplice to the worst and most bigoted policies of this administration.
Serving on the business advisory council is just an endorsement of President Trump’s assault on basic civil rights and of bigoted policies like the Muslim ban. Now it’s up to the remaining members of the council to decide which side of history they want to stand on.
It’s time for Bob Iger, Indra Nooyi, Mary Barra, Doug McMillon and others to make the decision that profiting off of having the President’s ear comes with consequences. Step down now.”
Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization that works on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths.