Donald Trump didn't shy away from picking on Apple during his presidential campaign. After an upset win this week, the Cupertino tech giant will have to deal with at least 4 years of Trump's presidency. Amid the uncertainty that the 2016 US election results have brought over the tech industry, Tim Cook has called for unity and moving forward, even if it's just crawling.
Trump made it a habit of picking on Apple for manufacturing its product outside of the country. While we don't know if the President-elect will indeed make the companies bring their manufacturing plants to the US (and increase product prices as a result), the industry is still grasping this unexpected win.
In a memo (obtained by BuzzFeed), Cook tells Apple employees to "move forward together."
"Only way to move forward is to move forward together" - Tim Cook's memo to Apple employees
Apple withheld support for the Republican Presidential National Convention in June this year, over Trump's comments about women, immigrants, and minorities. Previously, Apple had backed both the Republican and Democratic conventions. Trump had also called for a national boycott of Apple products after Apple refused to help the FBI crack the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. Since Trump's victory, Apple stock is down more than 2%.
While in the memo, Cook doesn't mention Trump, he noted that after a deeply divisive campaign, it was important to bring unity. He also mentioned Apple’s commitment to tolerance, diversity and social progress.
You can read Tim Cook’s full memo below (emphasis is ours).
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
You may also be interested in reading our resident financial expert's analysis on What a Trump Win Means for Tech Firms
