Trump Urges Apple To Stop Diversity Policy After Shareholders Support It

JAKARTA The President of the United States, Donald Trump, on Wednesday urged Apple to remove its diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies, a day after the tech giant's shareholders voted the majority to defend the policy despite pressure from conservative groups.

A number of large US companies, including Meta and Alphabet, have removed DEI's initiative after Trump returned to office. Trump views the policy as a form of discrimination and even hints that the Department of Justice can investigate whether the attempt violates the law.

"Apple has to remove the DEI rules, not just adjust them. DEI is a very bad hoax for our country. DEI is over!!!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social with capital letters.

Apple has yet to comment on Trump's remarks.

Voting at Apple's annual meeting on Tuesday, February 25 is considered a test for the shareholder's view of the DEI program. Many companies have started adopting or amplifying this policy since 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter movement.

Supporters of the DEI policy argue that this program is needed to address longstanding biases, injustices and discrimination. However, those against it argued that recent legal changes could increase the risk of discriminating cases if Apple retained the policy.

Trump had previously issued an executive order in January to end DEI's initiative in the government and private sectors. He stated that the policy discriminated against certain groups, including whites and men, as well as weakening the meritocracy principle in the recruitment and job promotion process.

Apple stated that it has an active monitoring mechanism to avoid legal risks. The company also considers that the proposed proposal to remove DEI inappropriately limits management policies.

Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed in an annual meeting that diversity remains one of the company's main powers.

"Apple's strength always comes from recruiting the best people and creating a culture of collaboration, where individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives can unite to innovate," Cook said.

However, he also hinted that the company might make some adjustments to this policy.

"With a change in the legal landscape related to this issue, maybe we need to make some changes to comply with the rules, but our commitment to dignity and respect for everyone will never waver," Cook added.