How the Capitol riot pushed big American corporations deeper into politics



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After the riot on the U.S. Capitol, Twitter Inc. banned President Trump’s social media account. Publisher Simon & Schuster has canceled publication of a book by Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), which disputed the results of the Electoral College presidential race, and Airbnb Inc. said it would prevent those involved in the violence from booking. rooms. Stripe Inc. has stopped processing direct payments from Mr. Trump’s campaign website.

Companies from Marriott International Inc. to Walmart Inc. have suspended donations to dozens of Republican lawmakers who voted against certification of electoral college votes, with others demanding refunds.

“Words alone are not enough. We are determined to act, ”wrote Dow Inc. CEO Jim Fitterling in a memo telling employees the chemicals maker was ending political donations to any Republicans who would oppose the victory certification. President-elect Joe Biden for an electoral cycle – two years for members of the House and up to six for senators.

This was a far cry from the days when corporations tried to appear apolitical, embodying – if not always living up to – the late economist Milton Friedman’s view that “business is business.”

“We are seeing a convergence of social issues that were outside the realm of commentary from business leaders,” said Judy Samuelson, founder and executive director of the Business and Society program at the Aspen Institute, a think tank, and author of “ The Six New Business Rules ”, which discusses these changes. “The rule of thumb was that if there isn’t a direct link to our business model or something that is close to our hearts, then we stay away from politics.”

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