Uber CEO Leaves Trump’s Business Advisory Group after Criticism

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick reportedly left the Donald Trump’s Business Advisory Group after facing criticism from immigration advocates for serving for President Donald Trump.

He had been under pressure from activists who oppose the administration’s immigration policies.

Kalanick said in an email to the staff, “Joining the group was not meant to be an endorsement of the president or his agenda but unfortunately it has been misinterpreted to be exactly that”.
Uber spokeswoman Chelsea Kohler later confirmed that he had left the group.

Few campaigns recently did the rounds on social media, urging users to delete accounts from Uber and opt for rival company Lyft Inc.

Kalanick said he spoke briefly to Trump about the immigration order “and its issues for our community” and told the president he would not join the economic council.

He wrote in the mail to employees, “There are many ways we will continue to advocate for just change on immigration but staying on the council was going to get in the way of that. The executive order is hurting many people in communities all across America. Families are being separated, people are stranded overseas and there’s a growing fear the US is no longer a place that welcomes immigrants.”
Other people who are expected to the attend the meeting on Friday are, CEO’s of General Motor, JP Morgan Chase, IBM Corp, Wal-Mart stores, PepsiCo, Boston Consulting Group, Tesla Motors and more.

Many companies including Microsoft, Apple, amazon have earlier opposed Trump’s move on the travel ban. Added to that, Amazon and Expedia have filed a lawsuit against Trump challenging his move of the Travel ban.

Microsoft corp recently proposed a modification of Trump’s Travel limits.

The departure of Travis could signal a growing rift between Technology companies and Washington.