Apple’s shareholders recently voted against a motion aimed at pushing the company to align with President Donald Trump’s stance on eliminating corporate diversity initiatives. The proposal, put forth by the conservative think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research, wanted Apple to follow other prominent companies in stepping back from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. These initiatives have been a target of criticism by the Trump administration.
After a brief presentation about the proposal, Apple communicated that the shareholders had rejected the initiative but did not provide specific voting results. Detailed outcomes of the vote are expected to be revealed in a regulatory release slated for later.
This decision underscores Apple’s management’s determination to uphold their commitment to diversity despite President Trump’s directives to the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether such programs might discriminate against employees based on race or gender.
Despite their differing views on DEI policies, Apple CEO Tim Cook has maintained a productive relationship with Trump, a dynamic that has helped Apple avoid tariffs on its China-manufactured iPhones. Following their recent meeting, Apple announced a $500 billion investment in the U.S., aimed at generating 20,000 new jobs over five years, a move praised by Trump.
A similar proposal faced a setback at a recent Costco meeting, yet the National Center for Public Policy Research continued to challenge Apple’s DEI approach. Stefan Padfield, the executive director of the think tank’s Free Enterprise Project, presented a pre-recorded statement arguing that “forced diversity is bad for business.” He criticized Apple’s diversity strategies for being misaligned with court decisions and warned of potential lawsuits alleging discrimination, with the Trump administration being a possible legal challenger.
The threat of legal challenges was amplified after Florida’s Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Target, accusing its adjusted DEI program of alienating consumers and damaging shareholder interests. Apple, like Costco, argues that a diverse workforce is beneficial to business success.
However, Tim Cook indicated that while Apple remains steadfast in its diversity goals, there might be a need to adjust its programs as the legal environment evolves. Despite potential changes, Apple aims to preserve the inclusive culture that has contributed to its market valuation of $3.7 trillion, a peak no other business has reached.
“We will continue to create a culture of belonging,” Cook reassured shareholders during the meeting.
In its 2022 diversity and inclusion report, Apple revealed that nearly three-quarters of its global workforce comprises white and Asian employees, with almost two-thirds being men. This demographic trend has been prevalent across major tech companies, particularly in high-paying engineering roles, despite ongoing diversity efforts.
