Trump Suggests Apple Scrap DEI Policies After Shareholders Overwhelming Support Retaining Them

Following a vote in which Apple shareholders overwhelming voted to retain the company’s existing DEI-related policies — after The National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) initiated a proposal titled “Request to Cease DEI Efforts,” per Reuters — President Donald Trump suggested that Apple scrap said policies.

In a post shared on Truth Social on Feb. 26, Trump made his position clear.

“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.

The president is well known to hold little regard for DEI policy. On the day of his inauguration, Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” taking aim at “all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear,” per the order’s text.

As a result, The Washington Post reported, significant layoffs of federal workers associated with DEI positions and practices have occurred, and universities and corporations have grappled with how to engage with “orders targeting ‘equity-related’ government contracts and ‘illegal DEI.’

Apple shareholders rejected the NCPPR proposal, with 8.84 billion votes against it and 210.45 million votes in favor of adoption.

Apple Stands Behind DEI Policy But May Need To Make Changes To Comply With New Laws

For its part, Apple appeared to stand firmly behind its existing DEI policies — and the foundational supports beneath them — as a separate Reuters report outlined.

“[Apple’s] strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate,” CEO Tim Cook said during the company’s Feb. 25 annual meeting.

However, Cook also signaled that the changing legal landscape surrounding DEI policies and initiatives may force Apple’s hand to some degree.

“As the legal landscape around these issues evolves, we may need to make some changes to comply, but our North Star of dignity and respect for everyone and our work to that end will never waver,” he added.