> Why should anybody involved put up with this sort of behavior? Smearing the CEO? Ousting the chairman? Jeopardizing key supplier relationships?

Whether it was "smearing" or uncovering actual wrongdoing depends on the facts of the matter, which will hopefully emerge in due course. A board should absolutely be able and willing to fire the CEO, oust the chairman, and jeopardize supplier relationships if the circumstances warrant it. They're the board, that's what they're for!

Because they're right. Maybe principles other than, "Get the richest," are important when we're talking about technology that can end the world or create literal hell on Earth (in the long term).

One wishes someone had pulled a similar (in sentiment) move on energy companies and arms suppliers.