On Sunday, following backlash over comments he made on the demonstrations just five days prior, Hims CEO Andrew Dudum walked back some of his support for the pro-Palestinian protests that have wreaked havoc on college campuses across the United States. The comments come after the company stock took a nose dive.
Dudum reiterated his defense of peaceful protest but denounced those who have resorted to violence.
He had earlier said that protests consisted of people who had strong “moral courage.”
"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," the men's telehealth service provider's CEO wrote in a post on X. "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."
"I do believe deeply in the right for people to use their voices in peaceful protest to drive change," he added. "This right is critical to our democracy and must be protected. Our world today is more just because students throughout history have courageously taken to their campuses and used their voices to force change. Generations of Americans have engaged in non-violent protest, and these movements have led to some of the most important changes in our country’s history."
He went on to note that, given his family history, he has "a personal appreciation for the different perspectives people have."
As the New York Post reports, Hims and its sister company, Hers, lost around $210 million in stock value following Dudum's comments, with $HIMS falling from $12.24 to $11.26 on Friday. It has since jumped back up to $11.70.
On May 1, Dudum expressed his support for those involved in the protests and suggested that "moral courage" was more important than a degree.
"If you're currently protesting against the genocide of the Palestinian people & for your university's divestment from Israel, keep going," he wrote. "It's working."
"There are plenty of companies & CEOs eager to hire you, regardless of university discipline," he added, including a link to Hims' recruitment website.
Dudum was widely criticized for his take on the situation.
"Real moral courage doesn’t involve joining a mindless mob, chanting anti-US and other woke pablum, following instructions not to debate or discuss your positions at all yet being indignantly righteous, while large numbers in the mob chant for violence and block Jewish students," one user wrote.
"That is a publicly-traded company, it is not your little fiefdom any longer," another added. "Your duty is to shareholders, not your personal politics. Outrageous mismanagement."
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