By Erran Carmel, Professor of Business, American University Kogod School of Business ; and Joseph Garbowski, Master’s student, American University

In the first months of Donald Trump’s second term as president, his policies, from sweeping tariffs and aggressive immigration enforcement to attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, have thrown U.S. businesses into turmoil, leading to a 26-point decline in CEO confidence.

Yet despite this volatility, many American corporations have remained notably restrained in their public responses.

This might come as a surprise. After all, in recent decades, CEOs have become increasingly willing to speak out about social and political issues. But while some universities and law firms have publicly pushed back against the Trump administration, busi

See Full Page