Feb 27, 2025 Story by: Editor
Apple shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal urging the company to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, aligning the tech giant with a growing number of corporations resisting political pressure to eliminate such initiatives.
The proposal, introduced by the National Center for Public Policy Research—a conservative think tank—called on Apple to follow companies that have distanced themselves from DEI efforts amid scrutiny from the Trump administration. However, after a brief discussion, Apple announced that shareholders had decisively voted against the measure.
In a regulatory filing on Tuesday evening, Apple disclosed that 97% of the outstanding shares that cast votes opposed the proposal. This outcome reinforced Apple’s commitment to diversity initiatives, despite ongoing federal investigations into whether such programs discriminate against certain employees based on race or gender.
Apple’s Commitment to Diversity Amid Legal and Political Pressure
While Apple has remained steadfast in supporting DEI, CEO Tim Cook has maintained a cooperative relationship with former President Donald Trump—a connection that has previously helped Apple avoid tariffs on China-manufactured iPhones. Following a recent meeting with Trump, Apple announced plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. and create 20,000 jobs over the next five years—a move applauded by the former president.
The shareholder vote comes just a month after a similar DEI-related proposal was overwhelmingly rejected at Costco’s annual meeting. Despite the setback, the National Center for Public Policy Research continued its push, this time addressing Apple’s diversity programs through a pre-recorded presentation by Stefan Padfield, executive director of the think tank’s Free Enterprise Project.
Criticism of Apple’s DEI Programs
Padfield criticized Apple’s DEI policies, arguing they contradict recent court rulings and could expose the company to potential lawsuits. He warned that Apple could face legal challenges, including from the Trump administration, stating, “The vibe shift is clear: DEI is out and merit is in.”
Concerns over legal repercussions intensified last week when Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a federal lawsuit against Target, alleging that its DEI efforts alienated consumers and hurt shareholder value.
Despite these pressures, Apple—like Costco—maintains that fostering diversity strengthens its business.
Cook’s Response: Adjusting to Legal Changes While Upholding DEI
During the shareholder meeting, Cook acknowledged that Apple may need to adjust its diversity programs “as the legal landscape changes,” but reaffirmed the company’s commitment to an inclusive workplace.
“We will continue to create a culture of belonging,” Cook told shareholders.
Apple’s most recent diversity and inclusion report (2022) revealed that nearly three-fourths of its global workforce consists of white and Asian employees, with men making up nearly two-thirds of its workforce. These figures reflect long-standing hiring trends in the tech industry, where companies have struggled to diversify their workforce—particularly in high-paying engineering roles. Source: AP News
