Mikey Campbell
Following one of the most bitterly contested — both by candidates and their respective constituencies — presidential elections in modern American history, Apple CEO Tim Cook on Wednesday sent out a company-wide memo addressing employee concerns about what comes next.
In a copy of the memo, obtained by BuzzFeed News, Cook encourages his staff to reach out to colleagues "if they are feeling anxious" about the recent election.
Donald Trump in the early hours of Wednesday morning capped a long and controversial presidential campaign with an upset victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Though Cook fell short of mentioning Trump by name, the business magnate turned populist politician is clearly the subject of today's memo.
During his campaign, Trump repeated unsavory remarks regarding people of color, women, the LGBTQ community and others, actions seemingly at odds with Apple's public fight for diversity and inclusion. Acknowledging the angst felt by some employees, Cook reassured his team that Apple "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."
Beyond political leanings, Trump targeted Apple directly when he promised to force the company to manufacture its products in the U.S.
In February, Trump again lashed out at Apple, calling for a boycott of the company's goods over its stance in an ongoing debate over device encryption and national security. At the time, Apple had refused to help government agents access data from an iPhone tied to last year's San Bernardino terror attacks, saying that doing so would leave millions of consumer devices at risk.
A few months later, it was reported that Apple withheld money and support from the Republican National Convention due to Trump's comments on minorities, women and immigrants. Apple has in the past supported the event.
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
Christine McKee
Charles Martin
Oliver Haslam
William Gallagher
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145 Comments
Seriously?
When your boss has to tell you to stop arguing over team politics at work,
that's a clear sign that your team politics are complete immature bullshit.
Obama was an inexperienced, petty, self-aggrandizing clown, now there's just a different one.
Grow the fuck up, America.
Great memo Tim, now update the damn Mac Pros and Minis already!
Seriously though, I think it's a welcome and positive message at a time when many people feel much anxiety over the direction that the country will be heading. Apple and Trump seem at odds over so many issues. Let's hope Trump's more controversial proclamations do not turn into enacted policies that damages any of Apple's/Cook's principles.
It's a done deal.
Just get over it and move on. There isn't anything that anybody can do about it, not a damn thing, not for another 4 years at least, when you'll get another shot at casting your vote, if you are in fact a legal citizen (deceased doesn't count either). Many of the whiners are probably the same losers that didn't even bother to get off of their fat, lazy, ignorant butts and actually vote. I voted, even though I live in a state where I knew that my vote wouldn't really matter, but I did it nonetheless, because I felt that it was important, if only to myself.
Certain weak people let emotions take control, while they should be utilizing and relying on their brains instead. More thought, less emotions, what a radical idea.
And no, the world is not going to end, and no, this isn't worse than 9/11, for all of the special snowflakes (mentally impaired beta people and weaklings) out there. Anybody in need of a safe space should get their wish, a fully padded rubber room, where they will no doubt be very safe.
Back to what really matters, when's the new iPad Pro coming out?
I won some money last night, and I'd like to give it to Apple as soon as possible. :#
Let me take a wild guess that had Hillary Clinton won Tim Cook wouldn't have wrote this letter. I didn't vote for Donald Trump but the country has survived much worse than him. On the other hand if California ever decided to secede I'm not sure the rest of the country would really care. California really is nothing like the rest of the country. If Democrats are to take power again it's not going to come from San Francisco.