Apple Investors Reject Proposal to End Diversity Initiatives
Apple shareholders have voted against a proposal that would have pressured the tech giant to abandon its diversity programs, aligning with a broader push by Donald Trump to eliminate such initiatives.
The proposal, put forward by the National Center for Public Policy Research, urged Apple to follow the example of other prominent companies that have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which are currently under scrutiny by the Trump administration.
Following a short presentation on the anti-DEI proposal, Apple announced its rejection by shareholders, with the specific vote count to be detailed in a regulatory filing later that day.
This outcome supports Apple management’s commitment to diversity, even amidst calls from Trump for the Justice Department to investigate potential discrimination against employees whose race or gender may not align with DEI goals.
CEO Tim Cook has maintained a positive relationship with Trump, which has helped Apple avoid tariffs on iPhones made in China. After a recent meeting between Cook and Trump, Apple announced plans to invest significantly in the U.S. and create 20,000 new jobs over the next five years, a move praised by the president.
The shareholder vote occurred a month after a similar proposal was overwhelmingly rejected at Costco’s annual meeting, also presented by the same group.
Despite the Costco rejection, the National Center for Public Policy Research proceeded with its presentation to Apple, with Stefan Padfield, executive director of the Free Enterprise Project, arguing that “forced diversity is bad for business.”
Padfield argued that Apple’s diversity commitments contradict recent court rulings and expose the company to potential discrimination lawsuits, citing the Trump administration as a possible adversary.
Padfield stated that the trend is shifting away from DEI and towards merit-based systems.
The potential for legal challenges was highlighted by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s lawsuit against Target, alleging that the retailer’s scaled-back DEI program alienated consumers and negatively impacted sales, harming shareholders.
Like Costco, Apple argues that a diverse workforce is beneficial for business.
Cook acknowledged that Apple may need to adjust its diversity program in response to evolving legal changes, while maintaining a culture that has contributed to its $3.7 trillion market value.
“We will continue to create a culture of belonging,” Cook told shareholders.
In its , Apple reported that approximately three-quarters of its global workforce is composed of white and Asian employees, with nearly two-thirds being men.
For years, other major tech companies have reported similar demographics, with predominantly white and Asian men in high-paying engineering roles. This has prompted the industry to pursue diversity initiatives, though with limited success.
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