Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., smiles during a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Cook will face off against U.S. senators leveling accusations the iPhone maker has created a web of offshore entities to avoid paying billions of dollars in U.S. taxes. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Apple CEO Tim Cook sent out a memo to all Apple employees in the U.S. on Wednesday, urging them to “move forward – together” in the wake of the divisive presidential election. Cook did not specifically mention election winner Donald Trump by name in the memo.
Via BuzzFeed
Team,
I’ve heard from many of you today about the presidential election. In a political contest where the candidates were so different and each received a similar number of popular votes, it’s inevitable that the aftermath leaves many of you with strong feelings.
We have a very diverse team of employees, including supporters of each of the candidates. Regardless of which candidate each of us supported as individuals, the only way to move forward is to move forward together. I recall something Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said 50 years ago: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” This advice is timeless, and a reminder that we only do great work and improve the world by moving forward.
While there is discussion today about uncertainties ahead, you can be confident that Apple’s North Star hasn’t changed. Our products connect people everywhere, and they provide the tools for our customers to do great things to improve their lives and the world at large. Our company is open to all, and we celebrate the diversity of our team here in the United States and around the world — regardless of what they look like, where they come from, how they worship or who they love.
I’ve always looked at Apple as one big family and I encourage you to reach out to your co-workers if they are feeling anxious.
Let’s move forward — together!
Best, Tim
Trump was declared the winner on Tuesday of the U.S. presidential election over opponent Hillary Clinton, following a long and controversial campaign. While never mentioning Trump by name, Cook pushed back against many of the remarks Trump had made during his campaign.
Cook’s email concentrated on comforting Apple employees upset over the election results, and concentrated on what have become Apple’s corporate values over the years. The email never mentioned any of the shots Trump took at Apple during the campaign. Those included calling for a boycott against the company and its products during the FBI/Apple battle over an encrypted iPhone used by a terrorist, as well as a remark that he would force Apple build its “damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries.”
Apple withdrew its usual financial and technology support of the Republican National Convention earlier this year, in protest of Trump’s remarks concerning women, immigration, and minorities. Tim Cook instead held a separate fundraising event for Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and other Republicans.
The single thing Apple and Trump may see eye-to-eye on is Trump’s promise to push through tax reform that would allow companies like Apple to repatriate their overseas earnings at a 10% tax rate, in place of the current 35% tax rate.
