After Trump Attack, RTX Decides That Winning Move Is Not to Play

When RTX Corp. executives’ phones started buzzing with the news that President Donald Trump had singled out their company for criticism, they quickly realized they had two options, both fraught: push back or keep quiet.

Trump had turned his ire on the company after announcing that defense contractors should be barred from issuing dividends or conducting stock buybacks. RTX, Trump said, has been the “least responsive to the needs of the Department of War” and the “most aggressive” spender on shareholders.

The claims were subject to dispute. RTX has many contracts across the U.S. military, including for jet engines and ...