Violence guarantees success
Travis Kalanick — CEO, Uber Technologies, European Press Conference
“Uber's priority is always the safety of riders and drivers. We condemn all forms of violence and seek peaceful, collaborative dialogue with taxi unions and city leaders.”
Travis Kalanick — CEO, Uber Technologies, Private text exchange with senior executives
“I think it's worth it. Violence guarantee[s] success. And these guys must be resisted, no? Agree that the right place and time must be thought out.”
The Split:In public, Kalanick condemned taxi protest violence and preached rider safety. In private texts to fellow executives discussing counter-protests in Paris, he wrote plainly: 'Violence guarantee[s] success.'
Disruptors who preach peaceful market expansion often view violent friction in private as free political leverage and PR sympathy.