Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank praised Donald Trump in an interview with CNBC Tuesday—a unique move among footwear industry leaders.
Plank was among business leaders who visited the White House last month to review Trump’s campaign promises of tax cuts and corporate regulations. The Under Armour CEO also sits on an advisory board for the president’s Manufacturing Jobs Initiative, with a host of other major businesses. Plank told CNBC he believes Trump is “highly passionate,” and continued to praise the president despite the risk of backlash.
“To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country. People can really grab that opportunity. He loves to build I don’t think there’s any surprises here,” Plank said. “When you look at the president he wants to build things. He wants to build things he wants to make bold decisions and be really decisive. I’m a big fan of people that operate in the world of publish and iterate versus think, think, think, think, think. So there’s a lot that I respect there.”
Those against Trump voiced their opinions on the athletic brand’s CEO via social media.
So0 #UnderArmour‘s #KevinPlank is a big TRUMP supporter #TheResistance should give him a piece of our mind 1 (888) 727-6687#Boycott
— Maverick™ (@spooney35) February 8, 2017
@UnderArmour CEO Kevin Plank thinks Trump is an “asset” to our country? Kevin, you need to aim a little higher. #BoycottUnderArmour
— John Miranda (@John_Miranda) February 8, 2017
Under Armour isn’t the sole Trump supporter. Though there haven’t been many brands as outspoken on the matter, Plank joins the likes of Linda Bean, chairwoman and member of the L.L. Bean founding family, who has also expressed a favorable position on the president. However, the number of companies opposing Trump’s policies continues to grow with brands like Asics and Nike denouncing the president’s immigration ban, and the 100 outdoor brands who expressed disagreement with the president’s take on privatizing public land.
Now Under Armour fans and critics await the possible repercussions of Plank’s politics.