I might worry about my direct manager acting on biases, or about the company’s policies, but not the CEO’s personal opinions. New Relic has over 2,000 employees, how would he even remember my name?
You're making the CEO extremely rich and he's donating more money than you'll probably ever make to what many consider to be the enemy, so its pretty reasonable you might not want to work for the company or the CEO anymore
Ultimately I am replaceable. My work is worth more than my cost, but it’s not me making making shareholders and management rich, it’s the customers. When I hire a doctor or a tax accountant, they absolutely don’t get a veto over my politics or how I use my money, and for the same reason I would never expect to boss the CEO around.
I’d have to work at a tiny PAC to avoid everyone who disagrees with me, or go full Tarn & Zach Adams.
If anyone has agency to stop earning their living, my guess is that they also have agency to express their opinion and hold someone else accountable for creating an hostile work environment.
Then you don’t have agency and need to deal with the nature of the contract. You take money, you put up with the circumstances. If you don’t need to take money, then you are free.
I’m sorry for all those stuck, but you need the money. In a desperate situation like that, where your own principles are secondary to your very survivable, it’s proper to shut up and do your job.
If you are in a position where your principles are not secondary, then quit.