Apple CEO Tim Cook called out President Donald Trump for his controversial statements following the deadly violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In an email to employees, Cook said he disagreed with the president for believing the violence came from “many sides,” not only neo-Nazis and white supremacists, and called for an “unequivocal” stand against bigotry and hate.
“I disagree with the president and others who believe that there is a moral equivalence between white supremacists and Nazis, and those who oppose them by standing up for human rights,” Cook wrote. “Equating the two runs counter to our ideals as Americans.”
In the internal letter obtained by Recode, Cook says Apple will donate $1 million to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Anti-Defamation League, organizations the CEO claims “rid our country of hate.” It will also match two-for-one its employee’s donations to several human rights organizations between now and the end of September. Apple also plans to add a method for people to donate to the SPLC using iTunes.
Trump received immediate backlash from Silicon Valley leaders for defending white supremacists and condemning “both sides” in a press conference following the violent rallies in Charlottesville. White House business councils saw a mass exodus this week. Leaders of 3M, Johnson & Johnson, Campbell Soup Company, and United Technologies resigned from their positions, forcing Trump to dissolve the Manufacturing Council and Strategy & Policy Forum.
Rather than putting pressure on the businesspeople of the Manufacturing Council & Strategy & Policy Forum, I am ending both. Thank you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2017
Cook, who is not an official member of the White House’s technology boards, has recently spoken out against Trump for withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement. He also released a passionate statement following Trump’s attempts at banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. On the other hand, Trump has openly criticized Apple for its manufacturing practices and pro-encryption views, even calling for a boycott against the company in February.
Despite their differences, Recode reports Cook is working hard to shape the president’s policies on issues from tax reform to LGBTQ rights.
You can read Cook’s full note to employees over at Recode.
