NYU Professor Calls Out Billionaire CEOs for Kowtowing to Trump

Scott Galloway says executives are scared to speak out against the president's actions.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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NYU Professor Scott Galloway is criticizing billionaire CEOs for aligning themselves with President Donald Trump, even as the majority of Americans disapprove of the president's actions. Galloway says these executives are afraid of being punished by Trump if they speak out, but argues they have a moral and civic duty to stand up for American values, even if it means sacrificing some shareholder value.

Why it matters

Galloway's comments highlight the tension between corporate interests and civic responsibility, as well as the outsized influence that wealthy business leaders can have on the political landscape. His call for CEOs to demonstrate leadership and moral courage resonates with the broader public sentiment against the coziness between big business and the Trump administration.

The details

In an interview with MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace, Galloway said the billionaire CEOs he has spoken to claim they are simply trying to "wait out" Trump as a "fiduciary for shareholder value." However, Galloway argues these executives are enabling Trump's autocratic tendencies by avoiding criticism and even benefiting from special treatment. He believes the CEOs should be more willing to sacrifice short-term profits to uphold American values and civil rights.

  • Galloway made these comments in a recent podcast interview that aired on February 13, 2026.

The players

Scott Galloway

A professor at New York University's Stern School of Business who is spearheading a movement to boycott tech companies that have aligned themselves with President Trump.

Nicolle Wallace

The host of the MSNBC program "All the Best People" where she interviewed Galloway.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States whose actions and policies Galloway is criticizing.

Tim Cook

The CEO of Apple who Galloway cites as an example of a billionaire executive who has cozied up to Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Their actions ... seem to be worse. I mean, they are the executives that stood shoulder to shoulder with Donald Trump at his inauguration, which was an appalling spectacle. But I think [Apple CEO] Tim Cook was at the White House in a tuxedo the day after Alex Pretti was killed. Why do they act so immune to the things that enrage not 30-40 percent of Americans, but 67 percent of Americans don't approve of Donald Trump?”

— Nicolle Wallace, MSNBC Host (MSNBC)

“Well, I can tell you what they tell me, and I have empathy for them, is that they're a fiduciary for shareholder value, and they just want to wait this guy out. And while they may not agree with all his actions, that a good autocrat and kleptocrat does a very good job of punishing anyone that goes first.”

— Scott Galloway, NYU Professor (MSNBC)

What’s next

Galloway plans to continue speaking out and pressuring CEOs to take a stand against Trump's actions, even if it means sacrificing some short-term profits.

The takeaway

Galloway's comments highlight the difficult position many business leaders find themselves in, torn between their fiduciary duty to shareholders and their moral obligation to uphold American values. His call for greater civic courage and leadership from the corporate elite resonates with the broader public sentiment against the coziness between big business and the Trump administration.