HIMS CEO 'clarifies' support for anti-Israel protests after boycott deflates company's stock



Andrew Dudum, the CEO of HIMS online pharmaceuticals, issued a clarification of his previous comments that expressed exuberant support for the anti-Israel protests on U.S. campuses.

Dudum, who is a Palestinian-American, released a second statement about the protests from his official account on X, the platform formerly known a Twitter.

"The last few days have been a disheartening reflection of just how divisive a time we live in. I’d like to clarify a few things because my words have been misconstrued by some," he wrote.

"I, in no way condone nor support acts or threats of violence, antisemitism, or intimidation and there is absolutely no justification for violence on our campuses. Every student deserves to feel safe without fear of harm or being targeted for who they are. I am deeply saddened that my support for peaceful protest has been interpreted by some as encouraging violence, intimidation, or bigotry of any kind," he added.

He went on to praise the protesters for their courage and compared them to other student protesters of the past.

"I hope and pray for peace and for an end to violence everywhere," he added.

Critics pounced on his previous comments, and this led to outraged investors going on social media to proclaim that they were dumping the HIMS stock and also clients saying they were canceling their accounts.

"After 10 year using Hims, I have happily canceled today," responded entrepreneur Brendan Kaminsky at the time.

"If you support Israel, cancel your @wearehims subscriptions immediately. You can get similar products elsewhere for cheaper anyway," replied editor Ben Domenech.

At one point, the stock had dropped by 10%, or about $265 million in market capitalization. The stock has since returned to its previous value after Dudum issued his clarification.

Some college and university officials responded to the protests and encampments by calling on police to drag the demonstrators away. Others have capitulated to the demands of protesters, including some who agreed to review their investments in order to divest any financial involvement with Israeli-owned companies.

On Monday, anti-Israel protesters ripped down barricades near the Met Gala in New York City and later vandalized the 107th Infantry War Soldier Memorial with graffiti. They also lit an American flag on fire near its base.

Here's more about the collapse of HIMS:

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Outrage spurs boycott against HIMS after CEO enthusiastically supports anti-Israel protesters



Investors and clients of HIMS online pharmaceuticals began a boycott of the company after its CEO offered his enthusiastic support of the college students protesting against Israel in its war on Hamas terrorists.

HIMS CEO Andrew Dudum posted Wednesday on social media that his company would hire students who were protesting against Israel.

"Moral courage > College degree," he wrote in a missive on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

"If you’re currently protesting against the genocide of the Palestinian people & for your university’s divestment from Israel, keep going. It’s working," he added. "There are plenty of companies & CEOs eager to hire you, regardless of university discipline."

Dudum, who identifies as Palestinian-American, posted a link to jobs available at his company for those who were protesting against Israel.

He also previously retweeted a post of an article about Democrat Sen. Liz Warren of Massachusetts opining that Israel was committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Investors rushed to say on social media that they were dropping their stock holdings because of the CEO's statement.

"Just sold all my HIMS @AndrewDudum. Wearing the Israel or Palestine jersey is not relevant to me but a CEO hiring protestors and wearing a particular jersey is a tone deaf loss of focus. There is no need for a moral position - that’s not what the board or shareholders hired you for," responded one stock analyst.

"Good luck. I plan to liquidate my position in $HIMS. When a CEO shows the amazingly poor judgement to post something like this, I don't trust him to act in the best interest of the company. This is a breach of your fiduciary duty to your shareholders," read one popular response.

Others said they were canceling their subscription to the service.

"And after 10 year using Hims, I have happily canceled today," responded entrepreneur Brendan Kaminsky.

"Canceling $HIMS and the customer service queue is 42 people. Guessing it's a big line out the door. The CEO wants to hire the same college protestors who appear hellbent on destroying America," replied entrepreneur Eytan Elbaz.

"If you support Israel, cancel your @wearehims subscriptions immediately. You can get similar products elsewhere for cheaper anyway," posted editor Ben Domenech.

On Friday, the HIMS stock dropped a whopping 8%, though it was unclear whether it was connected to the outrage over the CEO's comments.

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