Then awkwardly backtracks: “Oh dear, was that an error?”
CNBC’s “Squawk On The Street” segment took a turn for the extremely awkward today as the panel discussed the lack of openly gay CEOs in large companies.
![]()
New York Times columnist James R. Stewart appeared as a guest to discuss his column
about former BP CEO John Browne. “There are gay CEOs in major companies, and I reached out to many of them,” Stewart said. “I got an extremely cool reception, not one would allow to be named at all.”
During the discussion, co-anchor Simon Hobbs chimes in with this comment:
![]()
The desk falls completely silent.
Hobbs backtracks quickly adding, “I thought he was open about it.”
![]()
Stewart’s response: “Hmm, no.”
![]()
Stewart continues, “I don’t want to comment about anybody who might or might not be. I’m not going to out anybody.”
Though Cook has yet to speak directly about his sexual orientation, he consistently speaks about LGBT rights as a human rights issue.
The CEO was named the most powerful LGBT person on Out’s 2013 power list .
![]()
CNBC declined to comment. A request for comment to Apple representative Nat Kerris was not immediately returned.
Watch the full segment:
Oh no he didn't
SOURCE
CNBC’s “Squawk On The Street” segment took a turn for the extremely awkward today as the panel discussed the lack of openly gay CEOs in large companies.
New York Times columnist James R. Stewart appeared as a guest to discuss his column
about former BP CEO John Browne. “There are gay CEOs in major companies, and I reached out to many of them,” Stewart said. “I got an extremely cool reception, not one would allow to be named at all.”
During the discussion, co-anchor Simon Hobbs chimes in with this comment:
The desk falls completely silent.
Hobbs backtracks quickly adding, “I thought he was open about it.”
Stewart’s response: “Hmm, no.”
Stewart continues, “I don’t want to comment about anybody who might or might not be. I’m not going to out anybody.”
Though Cook has yet to speak directly about his sexual orientation, he consistently speaks about LGBT rights as a human rights issue.
I applaud @WhiteHouse decision to ban #LGBT discrimination at fed contractors. House must act on #ENDA. A matter of basic human dignity.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 17, 2014The CEO was named the most powerful LGBT person on Out’s 2013 power list .
CNBC declined to comment. A request for comment to Apple representative Nat Kerris was not immediately returned.
Watch the full segment:
Oh no he didn't
SOURCE