Trump tells Apple to end its DEI policy
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More news: In response to Apple shareholders rejecting a proposal to end the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at its annual meeting on Tuesday, Trump took to Truth Social to urge the tech giant to scrap the rules.
“APPLE SHOULD GET RID OF DEI RULES, NOT JUST MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEM. DEI WAS A HOAX THAT HAS BEEN VERY BAD FOR OUR COUNTRY. DEI IS GONE!!!” Trump wrote on his social media site.
Trump’s administration is ramping up efforts against DEI programs across corporate America, having signed an executive order seeking to ban what he calls "illegal preferences." A number of large Wall Street banks are rolling back diversity-driven policies to fall into line; JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup have already begun watering down their DEI efforts.
Apple shareholders reject bid to end DEI
The news: Apple shareholders rejected a proposal to end the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at its annual meeting, siding with management’s position that diversity is “critical” to Apple’s success.
The proposal, brought by the National Center for Public Policy Research, claimed DEI posed litigation, reputational and financial risks.
The context: It comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has ramped up efforts against such programs.
Apple has defended its DEI policies, saying they are critical to its success and foster a “culture of belonging where everyone can do their best work.”
It argued the proposal sought to interfere with its business practices, and said it “does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training or promoting on any basis protected by law.”
At the annual shareholders meeting CEO Tim Cook suggested Apple may make some adjustments to its DEI approach as the legal landscape evolves but reaffirmed the company’s commitment to a “culture of belonging.”
Shareholders also voted in line with Apple’s recommendations on six other proposals, rejecting calls for reports on artificial intelligence risks, child sex abuse material and charitable giving.
Investors re-elected the board, approved executive compensation and ratified the accounting firm. Cook’s total pay increased 18% to USD74.6 million ($117.9 million).
