Behind closed doors, our top CEOs say Trump is bad for business and it’s time to Make America into America Again

[essentialsaltes]

We [Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute’s CEO forum] just hosted a large gathering of top CEOs, primarily Republicans, and you might be surprised by what we heard. While many of them have been willing to support the president out of patriotic duty—and dismay over some Democratic policies—they are increasingly questioning who truly stands to benefit from the maelstrom of chaos, fear, and confusion that he has intentionally created.

The Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute’s CEO forum gathers top political leaders with Fortune 500 CEOs for a Chatham House rules discussion where direct quotes are off the record. In Washington DC this week at the 155th gathering, as clouds swirled around the Capitol building just steps away, senators from both parties and some top Trump administration officials joined us. They had to face down the near unanimous verdict from over 100 top business leaders, representing some of the world’s largest companies and most iconic brands: Trump’s policies aren’t working.

Two-thirds of the CEOs surveyed at our event said that U.S. tariffs have been harmful to their businesses. They estimate that 80% of the tariffs have been shared equally between domestic firms and U.S. consumers, with the remainder shouldered by foreign counterparts.

Just as frustrating for CEOs is the lingering sense that this entire house of cards might collapse at any moment due to a court reversal. Nearly three-quarters of all executives surveyed said they [thought] the courts are correct in saying Trump’s tariffs are illegal as implemented. If the Supreme Court agrees with those business leaders, then corporate America’s plans will be thrown into disarray again amid halting uncertainty.

CEOs told us they still believe in the promise of the U.S. and its capitalist system, but it’s hard to ignore the Trump administration’s drift toward a quasi-socialist statism, seizing ownership from private shareholders, dictating staffing, and selectively blocking moves into strategic markets based upon politics and kickbacks. ... they expressed a near-unanimous discontent as the Trump administration has veered away from the capitalist system.

When one commenter compared MAGA to the Maoist movement, there wasn’t an outcry of disagreement. Quite the opposite.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

They deserve what they get. Sadly, so many people have to pay the price.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

That's gotta be an awkward position for some people...

"Greedy Republican CEOs don't like Trump" is probably a hard topic for some to cope with.

There are probably a bunch of people with multi-colored hair and a septum piercing that don't know what kind of TikTok video to record right now.

 

[Bradskii]

That's gotta be an awkward position for some people...

"Greedy Republican CEOs don't like Trump" is probably a hard topic for some to cope with.

There are probably a bunch of people with multi-colored hair and a septum piercing that don't know what kind of TikTok video to record right now.

Something along the lines of 'Trump's tariffs are an idiotic farce - we told you so'.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Something along the lines of 'Trump's tariffs are an idiotic farce - we told you so'.

But then that would mean they agree with Ben Shapiro...which would open a whole different can of worms...

With all due respect, you still don't seem to have a handle on how US politics work lol

 

[Bradskii]

But then that would mean they agree with Ben Shapiro...which would open a whole different can of worms...

This is something that came up recently. Someone asked me 'How can you support this guy? You've said before you didn't like his views' (and it was actually about Shapiro). But I wasn't supporting him. I was supporting something that he said. Just because someone is a long way over on the other side of the political fence and you disagree with almost everything he or she says, you'd be an idiot to disagree with them when they say something with which you agree. I even supported Ted Cruz a few days ago when he supported free speech re Kimmel.

With all due respect, you still don't seem to have a handle on how US politics work lol

I'm afraid I can see all too well how it works. The problem is that people like yourself, evidenced by your puzzlement above that anyone on the left could at some point agree with something that someone on the right has said, exhibits all too well that you don't know how it should work.

 

[Tuur]

I'm reminded that Joseph Kennedy advised Neville Chamberlin that a war in Europe would be bad for business.

 

[Nithavela]

That's gotta be an awkward position for some people...

"Greedy Republican CEOs don't like Trump" is probably a hard topic for some to cope with.

There are probably a bunch of people with multi-colored hair and a septum piercing that don't know what kind of TikTok video to record right now.

You are absolutely correct. The important question is not how this will affect the economy, people's lives or the wider political landscape. The important thing is "how will this trigger the left lol".

 

[rjs330]

We [Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute’s CEO forum] just hosted a large gathering of top CEOs, primarily Republicans, and you might be surprised by what we heard. While many of them have been willing to support the president out of patriotic duty—and dismay over some Democratic policies—they are increasingly questioning who truly stands to benefit from the maelstrom of chaos, fear, and confusion that he has intentionally created.

The Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute’s CEO forum gathers top political leaders with Fortune 500 CEOs for a Chatham House rules discussion where direct quotes are off the record. In Washington DC this week at the 155th gathering, as clouds swirled around the Capitol building just steps away, senators from both parties and some top Trump administration officials joined us. They had to face down the near unanimous verdict from over 100 top business leaders, representing some of the world’s largest companies and most iconic brands: Trump’s policies aren’t working.

Two-thirds of the CEOs surveyed at our event said that U.S. tariffs have been harmful to their businesses. They estimate that 80% of the tariffs have been shared equally between domestic firms and U.S. consumers, with the remainder shouldered by foreign counterparts.

Just as frustrating for CEOs is the lingering sense that this entire house of cards might collapse at any moment due to a court reversal. Nearly three-quarters of all executives surveyed said they [thought] the courts are correct in saying Trump’s tariffs are illegal as implemented. If the Supreme Court agrees with those business leaders, then corporate America’s plans will be thrown into disarray again amid halting uncertainty.

CEOs told us they still believe in the promise of the U.S. and its capitalist system, but it’s hard to ignore the Trump administration’s drift toward a quasi-socialist statism, seizing ownership from private shareholders, dictating staffing, and selectively blocking moves into strategic markets based upon politics and kickbacks. ... they expressed a near-unanimous discontent as the Trump administration has veered away from the capitalist system.

When one commenter compared MAGA to the Maoist movement, there wasn’t an outcry of disagreement. Quite the opposite.

What!? All those greedy CEOs who only care about theirs and their stick holder portfolios are upset?

Suddenly people on the left care about what they have to say?

I thought many on the left was in more support of quasi-socialist statism, seizing ownership from private shareholders, dictating staffing, just not when Trump is doing it I guess.

By rhe way this isnt an endorsement of tariffs. Just an observation that the left typically castigates CEOs and had little good to say about them, unless of course they oppose Trump on something.

 

[Nithavela]

What!? All those greedy CEOs who only care about theirs and their stick holder portfolios are upset?

Suddenly people on the left care about what they have to say?

I thought many on the left was in more support of quasi-socialist statism, seizing ownership from private shareholders, dictating staffing, just not when Trump is doing it I guess.

By rhe way this isnt an endorsement of tariffs. Just an observation that the left typically castigates CEOs and had little good to say about them, unless of course they oppose Trump on something.

Do you disagree with their arguments? If so, why?

 

[rjs330]

Do you disagree with their arguments? If so, why?

Ive always been a wait and see guy. I had my concerns. But Im also not one who continuously rags on CEOs and those big greedy companies and stock holders. I still dont know if Tariffs are doing what Trump wanted them to or not. I'm still waiting to see. Maybe after a year or so I'll be firm.

 

[Nithavela]

Ive always been a wait and see guy. I had my concerns. But Im also not one who continuously rags on CEOs and those big greedy companies and stock holders. I still dont know if Tariffs are doing what Trump wanted them to or not. I'm still waiting to see. Maybe after a year or so I'll be firm.

Hopefully you'll have an opinion formed for the midterm elections.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I'm afraid I can see all too well how it works. The problem is that people like yourself, evidenced by your puzzlement above that anyone on the left could at some point agree with something that someone on the right has said, exhibits all too well that you don't know how it should work.

How something "should work" and "currently does work" are two totally different things.

You are absolutely correct. The important question is not how this will affect the economy, people's lives or the wider political landscape. The important thing is "how will this trigger the left lol".

So basically the same as intention of pieces like "see, these republican CEOs don't like Trump's policy, one of them even said it's quasi-socialist statism (gotta make sure to bold that socialism part for effect)", just going in the other direction?


The nature of the piece (and the intent behind bolding the "socialist" part was to paint MAGA types into their own corner of ideological self-contradiction A "Well well well MAGA, you claim to love Trump, but hate socialism... which is it??" tone...

 

[essentialsaltes]

By rhe way this isnt an endorsement of tariffs.

No, it appears to be idle sniping at the left without any attempt to deal with the content of the post.

 

[durangodawood]

You are absolutely correct. The important question is not how this will affect the economy, people's lives or the wider political landscape. The important thing is "how will this trigger the left lol".

Yes its all about the soc media image and the discussion and who we get to call a hypocrite and the bawling leftist lady.

Actual economic prospects for people and the state of republican principles etc dont score you points.

 

[BCP1928]

But then that would mean they agree with Ben Shapiro...which would open a whole different can of worms...

With all due respect, you still don't seem to have a handle on how US politics work lol

"The Left" is not the monolithic ideological juggernaut of your fantasies. I don't mind agreeing with Ben Shapiro if he says something I agree with. I even found things to like about Project 2025.

But the statement that Trump is engaging in "quasi-state socialism" is apt, if you use "socialism" in its correct technical sense. The statement is purely about economics, it has nothing at all to do with your imaginary boogeyman socialism or the culture war.

 

[NxNW]

I'm reminded that Joseph Kennedy advised Neville Chamberlin that a war in Europe would be bad for business.

When in fact it was great for business and got us out of the Depression!

 

[Tuur]

When in fact it was great for business and got us out of the Depression!

My point being what business wants is based on business, nothing more. I get the distinct impression from some of them that they would be perfectly happy to export all manufacturing to China if they thought making it here it would hurt their portfolios.

 

[Hans Blaster]

When in fact it was great for business and got us out of the Depression!

From the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition:

Rule 34. War is good for business.
Rule 35. Peace is good for business.

Though a lot of Trump fans and GOP official seem to live by Rule 33: It never hurts to suck up to the boss.

 

[Richard T]

This is something that came up recently. Someone asked me 'How can you support this guy? You've said before you didn't like his views' (and it was actually about Shapiro). But I wasn't supporting him. I was supporting something that he said. Just because someone is a long way over on the other side of the political fence and you disagree with almost everything he or she says, you'd be an idiot to disagree with them when they say something with which you agree. I even supported Ted Cruz a few days ago when he supported free speech re Kimmel.

I'm afraid I can see all too well how it works. The problem is that people like yourself, evidenced by your puzzlement above that anyone on the left could at some point agree with something that someone on the right has said, exhibits all too well that you don't know how it should work.

Yes, it is better to look at every policy separately to come up with the best outcome whether right or left. This sort of calculus used to be common among members in Congress. Then the parties started to push for stricter litmus tests to be more of a single voice. The results speak for themselves. Few compromises and much more divisiveness. Plus, they are doing a terrible job on most things.