Apple fans have criticized CEO Tim Cook for congratulating Donald Trump about his victory after defeating Kamal Harris in the 2024 US elections.
Cook said on
However, users flooded the post with comments criticizing the CEO for “interfering in the election since 2016,” claiming Siri only showed a photo of Harris’ face when asked about the 2024 general election.
Many of the comments urged Apple to start manufacturing its products in the US, which was voiced by Trump on the campaign trail.
“We will reclaim our nation’s destiny as the world’s leading manufacturing superpower,” he said in August.
While some Apple users were surprised by Cook’s praise, the CEO and Trump have built a relationship over the years.
Last month, the president-elect said that “if Tim Cook didn’t run Apple, if Steve Jobs did, it wouldn’t be nearly as successful as it is today.”
Tim Cook congratulated Trump on winning the presidential election, but iPhone fans condemned the CEO over claims of ‘election interference’
Cook shared his message on X and praised Trump for his victory. Apple has worked with the president for a long time. The tech giant visited the White House 87 times during Biden’s term in office
The two met in 2019 to discuss Trump’s tariffs on certain imports from China, which had a major impact on Apple, ending with Apple agreeing to invest in US manufacturing for its Mac Pro.
Apple is known for interacting with the president, with the tech giant visiting the White House 87 times during Biden’s term. Cook was present 11.
“Tim Cook and Apple are trying to make up ground with Trump so he plays nice with them as president,” one X user commented.
The claims referenced videos in which iPhone users asked Siri when the date of the presidential election was, only to see a notification appear with Harris’ face and “November 5, 2024.”
While some Apple fans were surprised by Cook’s message, he and Trump have had a relationship for years
The user went on to claim that “they were trying to help Harris win.”
‘That’s okay. That’s how this should work. Their person has not won, but is open to cooperation with the elected president. I don’t hate this,” another X user commented.
Other comments speculated that Cook’s message was an attempt to avoid potential tariffs under the Trump administration.
Trump has proposed imposing a 10 to 20 percent tariff on all imports, with significantly higher duties on imports from China, to boost the U.S. economy.
However, forecasters at Pantheon Macroeconomics have suggested that even a 10 percent rate would increase inflation by 0.8 percentage points next year.
Cook also called Trump last month to discuss financial sanctions imposed on the company by the European Union.
“Two hours ago, three hours ago he (Cook) called me,” Trump said while speaking to podcaster Patrick Bet-David.
“He said the European Union just fined us $15 billion. … Then the European Union fined them another $2 billion,” Trump added, quoting his appeal to Cook.
The Apple CEO’s concerns followed a loss in court with the US, which led to the tech giant paying $14 billion in back taxes to Ireland.
‘Tim, I have to get elected first. … But I won’t let them take advantage of our companies. That’s not going to happen,” Trump said, quoting himself as making the statements to Cook.