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Apple boss Tim Cook becomes the latest high-profile CEO to criticise Trump

Last updated: 08:58 17 Aug 2017 EDT, First published: 03:58 17 Aug 2017 EDT

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Apple has pledged to donate millions of dollars to various human rights group

Tim Cook, the chief executive of iPhone maker Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), has become the latest boss to criticise President Donald Trump over his response, or lack of, to the white nationalist rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Trump has been widely slated for not condemning the white supremacists strongly enough, and his stance has led to some high profile US bosses resigning from two business advisory councils which have since been disbanded altogether.

In an email to staff obtained by BuzzFeed News, Mr Cook said: “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.

"Equating the two runs counter to our ideals as Americans."

Over the weekend, the Apple chief took to Twitter to condemn the events in Charlottesville more generally.

In his letter today, Cook has also promised that Apple will donate US$1mln to both the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League, while the tech giant will also match two-for-one any staff donations between now and the end of September.

Pressure is mounting on Trump

“The abrupt break up of Trump’s Manufacturing and Strategic councils, coming as pressure mounted from US business leaders (including the CEOs of Blackstone, Pepsi and GM) over Trump’s inadequate response to events in Charlottesville, has exposed cracks in corporate American’s confidence in the President,” said Accendo Markets’ research analyst Henry Croft.

“With business-friendly policy measures including tax reform and sector deregulation still yet to be enacted by the administration, it appears patience in the Republican leader is wearing thin.”

Cook’s email to staff in full:

Team,

Like so many of you, equality is at the core of my beliefs and values. The events of the past several days have been deeply troubling for me, and I’ve heard from many people at Apple who are saddened, outraged or confused.

What occurred in Charlottesville has no place in our country. Hate is a cancer, and left unchecked it destroys everything in its path. Its scars last generations. History has taught us this time and time again, both in the United States and countries around the world.

We must not witness or permit such hate and bigotry in our country, and we must be unequivocal about it. This is not about the left or the right, conservative or liberal. It is about human decency and morality. 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. Equating the two runs counter to our ideals as Americans.

Regardless of your political views, we must all stand together on this one point — that we are all equal. As a company, through our actions, our products and our voice, we will always work to ensure that everyone is treated equally and with respect.

I believe Apple has led by example, and we’re going to keep doing that. We have always welcomed people from every walk of life to our stores around the world and showed them that Apple is inclusive of everyone. We empower people to share their views and express themselves through our products.

In the wake of the tragic and repulsive events in Charlottesville, we are stepping up to help organizations who work to rid our country of hate. Apple will be making contributions of $1 million each to the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. We will also match two-for-one our employees’ donations to these and several other human rights groups, between now and September 30.

In the coming days, iTunes will offer users an easy way to join us in directly supporting the work of the SPLC.

Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” So, we will continue to speak up. These have been dark days, but I remain as optimistic as ever that the future is bright. Apple can and will play an important role in bringing about positive change.

Best,

Tim

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