Under Armour CEO endorses Trump, Twitter users endorse shopping elsewhere

2025-04-28 07:47:33admin

Amid growing consumer backlash against corporations that associate with Donald Trump, at least one business leader isn't shy about his support of the president.

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank praised Trump's agenda in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday.

"To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country," Plank told the financial news channel. "People can really grab that opportunity."

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Plank said he also admires the president's willingness to take action without sweating the details.

"He wants to build things, he wants to make bold decisions and be really decisive," Plank said in reference to Trump's promise to spend big on infrastructure and build a border wall. "I’m a big fan of people that operate in the world of publish and iterate versus think, think, think, think, think."

The sportswear exec met with Trump in the White House last month along with other corporate bosses to discuss ways of bringing manufacturing jobs back to the country.

Under Armour makes around two thirds of its products in countries like China, Jordan, Vietnam and Indonesia, but Plank has said that he'd like to open more U.S. plants.

"Today, unfortunately, much of our manufacturing is done outside the U.S.,” Plank said at an event last June, according to the Baltimore Sun. “We'd like to reinvent the process."

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Plank spent most of Tuesday's interview talking about how the company intends to rebound from its current sales slump.

"You know, I think a lot of people bet against Tom Brady the other night, too."

He compared that struggle to the New England Patriots' surprise comeback in Sunday's Super Bowl.

"You know, I think a lot of people bet against Tom Brady the other night, too," he said, drawing parallels with another noted Trump fan.

His comments Tuesday come a week after a massive customer boycott forced Uber chief Travis Kalanick to step down from a adviser post with the new administration .

New Balance, one of Under Armour's rivals, faced a similar backlash last November when a company spokesperson praised Trump's trade policy proposals. Social media users made a show of burning or trashing the brand's sneakers in response.

Such fierce consumer reactions have likely pressured many Trump-supporting business leaders to keep their political allegiances to themselves.

But the administration's billionaire-heavy cabinet and plans to dismantle financial regulations have already earned it a reputation with some as a friend to big business. Thus, Trump probably has plenty of quiet fans in corporate America's C-suites.

Plank's opinion is already causing some blowback on Twitter.

Tweet may have been deleted

Update, Wednesday Feb. 8:

Under Armour released a lengthy statement, claiming that it "engages in policy not politics."

At Under Armour, our culture has always been about optimism, teamwork, and unity. We have engaged with both the prior and the current administrations in advocating on business issues that we believe are in the best interests of our consumers, teammates, and shareholders. Kevin Plank was recently invited at the request of the President of the United States, to join the American Manufacturing Council as part of a distinguished group of business leaders. He joined CEOs from companies such as Dow Chemical, Dell, Ford, GE and Tesla, among others to begin an important dialogue around creating jobs in America. We believe it is important for Under Armour to be a part of that discussion.

We have always been committed to developing innovative ways to support and invest in American jobs and manufacturing.

For years, Under Armour has had a long-term strategy for domestic manufacturing and we recently launched our first women’s collection made in our hometown of Baltimore, MD. We are incredibly proud of this important first step in the evolution of creating more jobs at home.

We engage in policy, not politics. We believe in advocating for fair trade, an inclusive immigration policy that welcomes the best and the brightest and those seeking opportunity in the great tradition of our country, and tax reform that drives hiring to help create new jobs globally, across America and in Baltimore.

We have teammates from different religions, races, nationalities, genders and sexual orientations; different ages, life experiences and opinions. This is the core of our company. At Under Armour, our diversity is our strength, and we will continue to advocate for policies that Protect Our House, our business, our team, and our community.

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