Trump Demands Apple Scrap DEI Policies
President Donald Trump blasted Apple yesterday, demanding the tech giant eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. "APPLE SHOULD GET RID OF DEI RULES, NOT JUST MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEM," Trump wrote on his social media platform.
The timing creates an awkward dynamic. Just one day earlier, Trump praised Apple's commitment to invest $500 billion in American manufacturing over the next four years.
Apple shareholders had rejected a proposal to end the company's diversity initiatives at their annual meeting. CEO Tim Cook stated Apple never implemented hiring quotas but acknowledged they might "make some adjustments" to their program.
The tech giant plans to build a new server manufacturing facility in Houston, establish a supplier academy in Michigan, and create 20,000 new jobs nationwide. This marks Apple's largest US commitment to date, potentially shielding the company from Trump's threatened tariffs on imports.
Trump's crusade against DEI has already pushed some companies to retreat. Citigroup dropped its diversity goals, citing Trump's executive order banning certain DEI practices by federal contractors. Meta and Google scaled back policies like diverse candidate interview requirements.
Why this matters:
- Trump wields both carrot and stick with major corporations - praising job creation while demanding social policy changes
- Companies increasingly split between maintaining DEI commitments and avoiding political crossfire
- The corporate world's swift response to Trump's pressure suggests his influence on business policy remains potent
