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Fortune

Trey Williams

Former Merck boss Ken Frazier wants CEOs to speak out

Merck Donald Trump Target

Merck & Co. Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Frazier Interview (Credit: Chris Goodney—Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Ken Frazier, former CEO of pharmaceutical company Merck, had a message for CEOs during Fortune’s CEO Initiative conference on Tuesday. As companies contend with polarizing social politics, and ready for the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Frazier, who was for many years one of the few Black CEOs on the Fortune 500, asked that leaders not be afraid to stand up and speak out.

“CEOs don't want to get in the middle of every political dispute, especially given how divided our country is,” Frazier told Fortune CEO Alan Murray in a panel alongside OneTen CEO Debbie Dyson. He added that American democracy consists of a certain series of principles and conditions. “It is my view that while I don't want to drag my company into a political dispute, that when those kinds of principles are not being upheld by our elected officials, it becomes the responsibility of the citizens … and CEOs obviously are among the most influential citizens.”

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