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Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein tweets for the first time ever to slam Donald Trump Paris decision
Goldman Sachs Group Inc Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein criticised the United States' decision to withdraw from the Paris climate deal in his first message on Twitter since joining the platform six years ago.
"Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the US's leadership position in the world," Blankfein said, adding the hashtag "ParisAgreement."
Goldman spokesman Michael Duvally confirmed that the account is Blankfein's.
Blankfein's former No. 2 Gary Cohn is chief economic adviser to President Donald Trump and was part of a "stay-in" camp that included Trump's daughter Ivanka, Gary Cohn, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
Other top executives also criticised the decision to quit the accord, including Tesla Inc CEO Elon Muskt.
Musk announced on Thursday evening that he was withdrawing from White House advisory councils after the decision by Mr Trump.
The Tesla Inc chief executive tweeted that "climate change is real":
Musk said he had done "all I can" to convince Mr Trump to stay in the accord.
He is the founder of SpaceX and Tesla among other companies. He has been a member of Mr Trump's infrastructure council, manufacturing jobs council and strategic and policy forum.
General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt, another member of Mr Trump's business councils, said he was "disappointed" with the decision.
Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook founder, wrote:
The US president said in an address at the White House that the Paris accord was more about other nations gaining a "financial advantage" over the US than it was about climate change.
The president said the agreement gives "countries an economic edge over the United States," adding, "that's not going to happen while I'm president."
Former Vice President Al Gore called the decision to exit the Paris agreement "a reckless and indefensible action".
Mr Gore said the move "undermines America's standing in the world".
The mayor of Paris, where a landmark global climate agreement was agreed in December 2015, said the decision by Trump to withdraw from the deal was "a mistake that would have dramatic consequences."
"That incredible diplomatic achievement could not have been secured without the decisive role of the United States of America. That is why President Trump is committing a mistake with dramatic and fatal consequences," Anne Hidalgo said.
"Regardless of President Trump's decision, the great cities of the world, in particular the twelve American C40 cities, remain resolutely committed to doing what needs to be done to implement the Paris agreement," she said referring to 91 global cities that are have vowed to fight global warming.