Gavin Newsom says Apple's dealings with President Trump are crony capitalism that results from what the administration requires of companies, and he doesn't begrudge Cook's position.
Those watching Apple's dealings with the United States government under Trump have had a sour taste in their mouths. Many wish Apple would push back against the administration, if not outright fight them, but Apple CEO Tim Cook has been working a different angle.
In an interview with The New York Times, California Governor Gavin Newsom discussed how he feels about how Silicon Valley, and specifically Apple, have dealt with President Trump and his expectations. Primarily, he says it "breaks my heart" knowing that small businesses and farmers don't have the same opportunity to make a phone call to get a tariff exemption.
More specifically, he mentions the event where Cook presented Donald Trump with a plaque and what that represented. "You gotta kiss the ring, the fealty to dear leader," Newsom said of Trump's policies, "that is the definition of crony capitalism."
Newsom goes on to say that Cook has a job to do what he needs with his shareholders in mind. "Do I begrudge that? Yes," he shared, "But do I begrudge him? Not as much."
The conversation around these topics starts at about 34 minutes into the video embedded below.
Newsom clarifies that these efforts to bend to Trump's demands aren't a more transparent version of what happened in government before, that this is all well beyond that. "For those that are complicit and participatory in that beyond their fiduciary responsibility — that's where I have a real problem," he concludes.
We at AppleInsider have shared similar sentiments about these dealings in the past. It isn't that Cook is going above and beyond in satisfying the administration, but that Apple seems to be playing Trump's game in a way that keeps it out of the spotlight.
Sure, Cook handed over a plaque, has to attend controversial dinners, and make grand announcements about United States investments Apple planned to make anyway, but that hasn't changed Apple.
It is still a company that proudly stands by its gay CEO, supports DEI, participates in Pride Month, and celebrates the differences that make us stronger. Other companies have gone out of their way to adopt new policies that promote hate and misinformation, or have fundamentally altered their companies to appease Trump's ideals.
Meanwhile, Apple continues on unaffected by the demanding administration. It gets exemptions from tariffs so prices don't have to go up, its policies and green energy initiatives continue unmolested, and all in exchange for pocket change, a piece of glass, and a few uncomfortable dinners.
Newsom may be controversial in his own right, but he's spot on about Apple's place in modern politics. Perhaps other tech companies could follow their lead and take a few steps back from going above and beyond the requirements set by the US administration.
