Billionaire CEOs Celebrate With Trump and Melania After Nurse’s Death
Billionaire CEOs faced criticism after attending a White House event hosted by Donald Trump and Melania on the same day a nurse was killed. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, was part of a group that included executives from Zoom, Amazon, and AMD, who attended a dinner and screening of Melania Trump’s documentary.
Context of the Controversy
The backlash intensified following the death of Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse, who was shot by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. This incident occurred just three weeks after the fatal shooting of another individual, Renee Nicole Good, by an ICE agent in the same city. The events raised significant public outrage, particularly since the violent episode involving Pretti was captured on video.
CEOs in the Spotlight
The controversial gathering was dubbed a “monsters’ ball” by critics. Among those present were:
- Tim Cook – Apple CEO
- Eric Yuan – Zoom CEO
- Lisa Su – AMD CEO
- Andy Jassy – Amazon CEO
- Lynn Martin – New York Stock Exchange CEO
None of the executives publicly addressed the death of Pretti during or after the event. Observers noted that the screening took place in a temporary theater, following the demolition of the historic White House Family Theater.
Public Reaction
The decision of these CEOs to attend the event sparked significant backlash on social media. Criticism included calls for boycotts of their respective companies, especially Apple. Many felt that attending the White House on such a tragic day was in poor taste.
Statements from Critics
Political strategists and commentators expressed their outrage. David Corn of Mother Jones condemned the CEOs for supporting what he termed an “authoritarian regime.” Others echoed similar sentiments on platforms like X, expressing their intention to reconsider their loyalty to Apple and other companies represented at the event.
As public sentiment turned against them, many users pointed out the ethical implications of doing business with companies led by executives aligning with such contentious views. One Apple shareholder conveyed his disappointment directly to the company, questioning Tim Cook’s leadership during these challenging times.
This incident highlights the precarious balance executives must maintain between business interests and social responsibility, particularly in a highly polarized political environment.
