Following intense criticism for attending a VIP White House screening of the ‘Melania’ documentary just hours after the killing of Alex Pretti, Bloomberg reports that Tim Cook sent an internal memo to Apple employees, where he tried to address the situation. Read it below.
’My prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families’
As most 9to5Mac readers probably know, Tim Cook has become a frequent presence at U.S. government events since Donald Trump’s re-election.
From White House policy announcements to Cabinet-level briefings and high-profile appearances abroad, Cook is increasingly visible in official government circles, with Donald Trump frequently praising him in speeches.
Last weekend, just hours after ICE agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, Cook attended a VIP event at the White House for a preview of the ‘Melania’ documentary.
This has reignited criticism towards Cook’s relationship with the President, an issue Cook and Apple have been completely silent on.
Earlier tonight, as Cook reportedly sent an internal memo to Apple employees that broadly referenced “the events in Minneapolis.” In the letter, he also said he had “a good conversation” with Trump, where he “shared his views”. He did not elaborate further.
You can read his letter in full below, as reported by Bloomberg:
Team,
I’m heartbroken by the events in Minneapolis, and my prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families, with the communities, and with everyone that’s been affected.
This is a time for deescalation. I believe America is strongest when we live up to our highest ideals, when we treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter who they are or where they’re from, and when we embrace our shared humanity. This is something Apple has always advocated for. I had a good conversation with the president this week where I shared my views, and I appreciate his openness to engaging on issues that matter to us all.
I know this is very emotional and challenging for so many. I am proud of how deeply our teams care about the world beyond our walls. That empathy is one of Apple’s greatest strengths and it is something I believe we all cherish.
Thank you for all that you do.
Tim
Cook’s remarks come on the same day that other tech CEOs, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, commented on the recent killings.
Like Cook, their remarks attempted to steer clear of criticizing the U.S. government, with Altman saying, “ICE is going too far,” and Amodei calling on “the importance of preserving democratic values.”
What’s your take on Tim Cook’s letter? Let us know in the comments.
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