Apple CEO Tim Cook Invited Back to White House for Tech Event

[kagharaht]

So Tim Apple is fine with bending the knee and giving gifts to a guy that says this. On Video for all to hear and see. "They Were Born To Be Criminals Trump Loses His Cool Goes On Hate". Just look it up and play the video yourself to hear it. It's not old and it's current. So yeah Tim Apple is supporting Racism.

 

[ThomasJL]

Apple should never have had to pay that money.

If American corporations don't pay the same rate of taxes that they were paying from the FDR to the Carter eras, then that tax burden falls upon individual taxpayers. But that's what's been happening in America ever since Reagan was president in the 1980s. Under every American president since Reagan, American-style "capitalism" has been socialism for corporations. And subhuman Silicon Valley scum like Tim Cook strongly support that.

 

[AL2TEACH]

will he bring a gift this time?
stayed tuned
same bat channel
same bat time.

 

[Imperial926]

This event was toe-curling but it's hard to see what these tech leaders could do without having their companies align in the cross-hairs of Trump's autocracy. The test will be if and when he goes. Some of us in other places are not so sure he will either go or possibly hand the baton to someone worse. By that stage, we in Europe have to have our act together with alternatives across the board.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The video of this event was one of the more repulsive things I can recall.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The video of this event was one of the more repulsive things I can recall.

Agreed.

For those who think that business leaders, the so-called titans of tech, - need to abase themselves so abjectly, or need to demonstrate such grotesquely obsequious, spineless and supine public displays of servility to a political leader (in order to "keep connected" with those who hold power, keep power "informed", keep capricious power from threatening or throttling them), - would you be quite so sanguine about such public displays of spinelessness (moral, political, economic) if the malevolent narcissist holding office was of a different political party or persuasion?

Or, would you howl in outraged disbelief and attempt to argue that tech, or capital, and politics shouldn't mix, still less one be permitted to make humiliating demands of the other?

 

[Mainsail]

I watched a clip from this get together, and they went around the table as each tech leader heaped praise upon Trump in classic “dear leader” fashion. Kinda like those cringy cabinet meetings.

I kept thinking: Really? For the most part, you guys are worth billions of dollars individually. You have more money than you, your children, or your children’s children could possibly spend. Why humiliate yourselves in this fashion. Twenty years from now your grandchildren will be watching this clip and what will they be thinking? Doesn’t seem worth it to me!

 

[Imperial926]

I watched a clip from this get together, and they went around the table as each tech leader heaped praise upon Trump in classic “dear leader” fashion. Kinda like those cringy cabinet meetings.

I kept thinking: Really? For the most part, you guys are worth billions of dollars individually. You have more money than you, your children, or your children’s children could possibly spend. Why humiliate yourselves in this fashion. Twenty years from now your grandchildren will be watching this clip and what will they be thinking? Doesn’t seem worth it to me!

Extraordinary times! Although unrelated in at least the worst ways it does explain to me how people cosy up to history’s worst despots and later excuse themselves by saying they were ‘just following orders’.
There’s going to be a lot of that in years to come but without quite the same justification.

 

[Mainsail]

Extraordinary times! Although unrelated in at least the worst ways it does explain to me how people cosy up to history’s worst despots and later excuse themselves by saying they were ‘just following orders’.
There’s going to be a lot of that in years to come but without quite the same justification.

Agreed.

What I don’t get is: Why bend a knee and kiss the ring? Why behave in such an obsequious manner?

Worse case is Trump takes it out on your company, and your board fires you. Fine. Take your generous buy-out along with the billions you already have and go on your merry way with a clear conscious that you did not humiliate yourself or your company. Seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[ForkHandles]

Thoughts and best wishes on all Americans. The levels of sycophancy that blob commands is sickening. His willingness to inflict pain on non conformists is unprecedented in the USA.

Whatever Cook does it will be, as it has to be, in the best interests of Apple Inc.

Thoughts and best wishes on all Americans. The levels of sycophancy that blob commands is sickening. His willingness to inflict pain on non conformists is unprecedented in the USA.

Whatever Cook does it will be, as it has to be, in the best interests of Apple Inc.

Wow!

The levels of sycophancy were off all known scales!!!!!

Even Bill Gates bent the knee.

But No Musk!!!!

That’s inflicting pain on non conformists.

 

[Imperial926]

Last night I watched the movie Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks and, of course, there are so many movies featuring Hanks in positive portrayals of the American military or roles that connect to these services. Then I learn how his award from West Point has been rescinded and Trump has decried his work and him as a person.

When and where does this end?

 

[Jack Burton]

The levels of sycophancy were off all known scales!!!!!

Even Bill Gates bent the knee.

But No Musk!!!!

That’s inflicting pain on non conformists.

Musk is hiding away trying not to offend Trump after saying he was in the Epstein files. He doesn't want to lose everything he gained before their falling out.

 

[kiensoy]

I expected a follow-up article after Tim met with Trump.

 

[frownface]

Agreed.

What I don’t get is: Why bend a knee and kiss the ring? Why behave in such an obsequious manner?

Worse case is Trump takes it out on your company, and your board fires you. Fine. Take your generous buy-out along with the billions you already have and go on your merry way with a clear conscious that you did not humiliate yourself or your company. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Worse case is actually they suddenly charge you with treason or something and put you on death row. That used to be far fetched.

Considering these are all multinational corps, it wouldn't even be hard to drum up some "selling secrets to china" type malarky.

If this was russia he'd just fall out of a window and bypass the whole trial song and dance. But america isn't russia (yet)

 

[Mainsail]

Worse case is actually they suddenly charge you with treason or something and put you on death row. That used to be far fetched.

Considering these are all multinational corps, it wouldn't even be hard to drum up some "selling secrets to china" type malarky.

If this was russia he'd just fall out of a window and bypass the whole trial song and dance. But america isn't russia (yet)

I don’t like Trump or this Administration one bit. But, I think it is very unlikely someone would be executed for treason simply because you did not sufficiently lavish praise upon him. There would be a long line of late night hosts, media pundits, politicians and comedians, in front of you.

Nope, I am not going to give these CEOs a bye because they were supposedly acting out of fear for their own lives. Not a plausible explanation for their behavior.

It’s just plain greed in my book.

 

[ForkHandles]

I don’t like Trump or this Administration one bit. But, I think it is very unlikely someone would be executed for treason simply because you did not sufficiently lavish praise upon him. There would be a long line of late night hosts, media pundits, politicians and comedians, in front of you.

Nope, I am not going to give these CEOs a bye because they were supposedly acting out of fear for their own lives. Not a plausible explanation for their behavior.

It’s just plain greed in my book.

Fascism doesn't come to the door wearing shiny jack boots and brown shirts. It starts by getting a country to hate others, then it pushes boundaries, it creates favourites, it excludes people not like you. Thats is already well established.

The Tom Hanks denial of honours is a case in point that no-one is beyond reproach. In the 50s you kicked out Charlie Chaplin for being a communist. It isn't as far fetched as you might like to think that people get removed for treason.

The curious thing about both the American and UK system of governance is that it's not impervious to absolute corruption. As a Brit I can see us following your lead, its not good.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Agreed.

What I don’t get is: Why bend a knee and kiss the ring? Why behave in such an obsequious manner?

Worse case is Trump takes it out on your company, and your board fires you. Fine. Take your generous buy-out along with the billions you already have and go on your merry way with a clear conscious that you did not humiliate yourself or your company. Seems like a no brainer to me.

This is what I don't get.

I assume power and influence goes to your head and you want to leave only when you decide to or something.

People get really rich ... and somehow it still isn't ever "enough".

If I were Tim I would have done none of this and exited stage right if need be.

Now he's completely tarnished his legacy, forever, with straight up sycophantic embarrassing, almost unbelievable, behavior.

 

[kagharaht]

This is what I don't get.

I assume power and influence goes to your head and you want to leave only when you decide to or something.

People get really rich ... and somehow it still isn't ever "enough".

If I were Tim I would have done none of this and exited stage right if need be.

Now he's completely tarnished his legacy, forever, with straight up sycophantic embarrassing, almost unbelievable, behavior.

Exactly. Apple event is today and I have zero plans on upgrading with anything they introduce. I hate supporting this company but I'm stuck with the Eco System. I want to minimize anything that I can to support an Adjudicated RAPIST, Convicted FELON & a RACIST. Hist statement about they all grow up to be criminals is disgusting.

 

[AL2TEACH]

When and where does this end?

when voters get a clue and sadly that could take awhile.

 

[kagharaht]

I wonder if Tim Apple and the rest of the Billionaires are going to events to honor Charlie Kirk? I mean after all, these guys are embracing MAGA.

 

[DJTaurus]

Thank you Mr Cook for your services to our country. USA - USA - USA!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1973937351027048572

 

[kagharaht]

The App Ice Block removed from App Store because Trump Administration commanded Apple to do so. We all know who Apple is aligned with.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Saw another article on this topic and wanted to share. I believe this is important to talk about, and since MR will not cover it, I'll dump some articles below.

SCOOP: Apple Quietly Made ICE Agents a Protected Class

Internal emails show tech giant used anti-hate-speech rules meant for minorities to block an app documenting immigration enforcement.

migrantinsider.com

Apple Took Down These ICE-Tracking Apps. The Developers Aren't Giving Up

“We are going to do everything in our power to fight this,” says ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron after Apple removed his app from the App Store.

www.wired.com

(Paywalled) https://www.404media.co/apple-banned-an-app-that-simply-archived-videos-of-ice-abuses/

One has to wonder how far Apple is willing to go to curry favor with the diet coke despot. John Gruber wrote his thoughts along similar lines;

It’s rather chilling to consider what Apple would have done if the Trump administration had “demanded” a list of device IDs and user identities for everyone who had installed ICEBlock. Or what Apple will do if such a demand pops into one of their dimwitted but cruel minds. I suspect that’s one of the lines Apple would not cross. That Apple would stand its ground there and say “**** you, make us” and take it to court. But there’s only one way to find out.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Saw another article on this topic and wanted to share. I believe this is important to talk about, and since MR will not cover it, I'll dump some articles below.

SCOOP: Apple Quietly Made ICE Agents a Protected Class

Internal emails show tech giant used anti-hate-speech rules meant for minorities to block an app documenting immigration enforcement.

migrantinsider.com

Apple Took Down These ICE-Tracking Apps. The Developers Aren't Giving Up

“We are going to do everything in our power to fight this,” says ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron after Apple removed his app from the App Store.

www.wired.com

(Paywalled) https://www.404media.co/apple-banned-an-app-that-simply-archived-videos-of-ice-abuses/

One has to wonder how far Apple is willing to go to curry favor with the diet coke despot. John Gruber wrote his thoughts along similar lines;

I’m increasingly worried that there are no red lines Apple will not cross.

John Siracusa talked about this on ATP recently and brought up a key point.

Once you start down the path of doing whatever the government wants, you can’t stop.

It’s an all or nothing strategy to assuage the dictator.

If they are gonna draw some lines in the sand, they better start soon.

All you get out of not doing so is that they keep coming back and asking for more.

 

[kagharaht]

No wonder he has the funds to destroy part of the White House. With no permission other than being a King, he is demolishing part of the White House. Thanks to the money from companies like Apple.