Apple CEO Tim Cook Explains His Relationship With Trump

[MacRumors]

Apple's CEO Tim Cook has maintained a working relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, and he touched on that in a recent interview.

Cook sat down with Esquire's Ryan D'Agostino to discuss Apple's 50th anniversary, but he was also asked about how he navigates the Trump administration.

Cook responded by saying that "the Trump administration is very accessible."

"So you can talk with them about your point of view on things," said Cook. "They may not agree, but you can engage. You can be heard. You may not, in the end, be able to convince. But engagement for me, not just in the U.S. but around the world, is so important because it is very complex, working through local laws, local customs, local culture, local regulations. Every country is its own story. Everybody's looks at things differently."

"The only way you get a feel for that is to sit before someone and communicate and engage," he added. "If you went in my conference room, you would see the Teddy Roosevelt quote 'It is not the critic who counts.' I've never believed that just yelling from the sideline about plus or minus was a good strategy. Your voice just goes into the wind."

Cook went on to say that it is important to have "values that are consistent," and he assured that Apple's values and his own have not changed.

He emphasized Apple's focus on user privacy, the environment, accessibility, and education.

"So you'll see me everywhere, and you'll wonder 'oh, he's meeting with somebody that has a different view than him,'" Cook concluded. "I think that's good. I think it's good. I think a problem in the world right now is that it's so polarized and different views aren't shared or discussed. They just become hardened. And I don't think that's good."

In an interview last month, Cook said he is "not a political person."

"I interact on policy, not politics," he said.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple CEO Tim Cook Explains His Relationship With Trump

 

[jml12286]

Sounds good. I like Tim Apple

 

[trellus]

I am not a fan of this president, but I get Tim Cook on this. I don't have a problem with his pragmatic approach. He has a company to run and shareholders to whom he must answer.

 

[Yr Blues]

Tim loves money. Who doesn't?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Donald Trump:

“I like Mac Cook a lot I think he’s a helluva guy - spectacular - I think he’s going to do great things and we can expect a tremendous outcome.”

 

[turbineseaplane]

In an interview last month, Cook said he is "not a political person."
"I interact on policy, not politics," he said.

Uh huh..
Sure buddy

No politics ... just policy...

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Donald Trump:

“I like Mac Cook a lot I think he’s a helluva guy - spectacular - I think he’s going to do great things and we can expect a tremendous outcome.”

Obviously not from Trump -- no words ending in "-ly".

 

[mdorais]

I'm sorry to those who agree with Tim because it can't be fun trying to explain away the golden trophy.

 

[Paul1964]

I'm sorry to those who agree with Tim because it can't be fun trying to explain away the golden trophy.

It's how you get what you want out of Trump - you bribe him with shiny things.

 

[crsh1976]

It works until it doesn't.

 

[trellus]

I'm sorry to those who agree with Tim because it can't be fun trying to explain away the golden trophy.

Oh, it doesn't need to be "explained away" -- it's obvious that he is smart enough to understand that this president is a narcissist who runs on flattery, and he is absolutely pragmatic to give him his little golden toy.

 

[HouseLannister]

'It is not the critic who counts.'

It's the shareholders!

 

[Yr Blues]

I'm sorry to those who agree with Tim because it can't be fun trying to explain away the golden trophy.

Probably kissed the ring and licked the boot, too. 🤣 Keep those shareholders happy!

 

[techfirth]

Tim is spot on with this. Political entrenchment and polarisation basically leads to nothing ever getting done, and fuelling those things is not why Apple exists.

 

[Surrylic]

Oh, it doesn't need to be "explained away" -- it's obvious that he is smart enough to understand that this president is a narcissist who runs on flattery, and he is absolutely pragmatic to give him his little golden toy.

Right?? Should be incredibly obvious. You don’t have to agree with or like the person, you just get them on your side for the four years you have to deal with them.

 

[Wasp14]

History is not going to reflect well on these tech leaders kissing the ring, there was no reason Cook had to personally donate $1 million to his campaign. The rest of the world is tired of America and Trumps sycophants.

 

[Yr Blues]

History is not going to reflect well on these tech leaders kissing the ring, there was no reason Cook had to personally donate $1 million to his campaign. The rest of the world is tired of America and Trumps sycophants.

They talk out of both sides of there mouths.

 

[fonzy91]

It's called 'lobbying,' it's always been done by companies. No matter who is in power, executives try to get benefits for their companies.

 

[ricketysquire]

I am not a fan of this president, but I get Tim Cook on this. I don't have a problem with his pragmatic approach. He has a company to run and shareholders to whom he must answer.

Exactly. I know alot of people don't like CEOs. But in this case, this is literally part of their day to day job to build and maintain these sorts of relationships. Through Im glad I don't have that kind of role. I'd get sick of arguing with politicians and other business leaders day in and out.

 

[Tim Jobs the 2nd]

As CEO of a publicly traded American company, he has to work with the president. No matter who is in that chair. This is not a difficult concept.

He can't chant "Not my president" and refuse to talk to him.

 

[BMcCoy]

Very diplomatic.

 

[BMcCoy]

As CEO of a publicly traded American company, he has to work with the president. No matter who is in that chair. This is not a difficult concept.

He can't chant "Not my president" and refuse to talk to him.

Same is true for global issues and leaders - you can respect the office of the President, even if you think the current holder of that office is unfit to be there..

 

[Tim Jobs the 2nd]

Same is true for global issues and leaders - you can respect the office of the President, even if you think the current holder of that office is unfit to be there..

Exactly. People need to understand this when it comes to executives, world leaders and even sports teams. They don't respect President Trump by being there. They just respect the office of the President.

 

[EugW]

History is not going to reflect well on these tech leaders kissing the ring, there was no reason Cook had to personally donate $1 million to his campaign. The rest of the world is tired of America and Trumps sycophants.

I'm of two minds on this. It's lame that Tim Cook had to bribe him, but at least Cook was completely open about it, and didn't even directly use company money to do it. He kept the pricing of Apple products lower they what they could have been, keeping us customers and Apple shareholders happy, but he had to openly bribe the president to do it.

I'm 100% convinced that Cook thinks Trump is a crook and a moron though.

 

[WilliApple]

Donald Trump:

“I like Mac Cook a lot I think he’s a helluva guy - spectacular - I think he’s going to do great things and we can expect a tremendous outcome.”

I love Trumps nicknames, whether you like his policy or not, Trump has a fun personality if you get to know his personality instead of just his policies