As the 2026 US midterms approach, former American Express chief Ken Chenault says any attempt to tamper with the vote should trigger an immediate, unified response from corporate America.
Key points
- Corporate America has largely withdrawn from public advocacy on voting rights since the 2020 election cycle.
- Chenault frames election interference as a non‑partisan red line that should trigger a coordinated business response.
- He contends that a company’s responsibility extends beyond profit, rooted in the societal permission it receives to operate.
- Defining clear ethical boundaries, according to Chenault, equips firms to act decisively when democratic norms are under threat.
Ken Chenault, the former American Express CEO and current chairman of venture‑capital firm General Catalyst, told peers that any interference in next week’s US midterm elections must be treated as a “red line” that compels business leaders to defend democratic norms.
Chenault recalled that in 2021 he helped mobilise hundreds of executives to oppose restrictive voting legislation and to issue statements supporting a peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election. He warned that replicating that level of coordination now would be “very challenging,” noting that many firms have since retreated from public commentary on voting rights.
A shifting corporate tone on voting rights
The backdrop to his warning includes recent remarks from former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who warned that manipulation of the electoral process could have lasting economic repercussions, and a noticeable silence from most CEOs of large US companies despite growing concerns about election integrity.
In a memoir slated for release next week, Chenault argues that protecting the democratic process is not a partisan issue but a fundamental right whose erosion harms community stability, prosperity, and ultimately the bottom line of individual businesses.
Chenault’s memoir frames the call for courage
He also uses the moment to push back against the prevailing “move fast and break things” mindset, asserting that a business’s social license to operate depends on a clear set of core values and a willingness to act on principles rather than remain on the sidelines.
Chenault urges CEOs to articulate the “red lines” they will never cross, suggesting that organizations that pre‑define such boundaries will be better prepared to respond when those lines are threatened, as illustrated by his experience on the Harvard Corporation’s pre‑emptive discussions during the Trump administration.
Reader questions
Why does Chenault believe CEOs should speak out on election interference?
He says meddling in elections undermines democratic stability, which in turn harms community prosperity and the long‑term health of businesses.
What past actions does Chenault cite as examples of corporate activism?
He references the 2021 coalition of executives that opposed restrictive voting bills and the widespread corporate statements supporting a peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election.
How does Chenault define corporate social responsibility?
He argues that because society grants businesses the right to exist, they owe a level of responsibility to serve that society’s core values, not merely to maximise profits.
Source: semafor.com
