Rumour: Tim Cook met with Donald Trump
Apple CEO Tim Cook may have left WWDC early this morning to meet with presidential candidate Donald Trump. The meeting, which was attended by 80 CEOs, focused on discussing Trump's second term priorities, including business tax cuts and easing regulations.
Here's What We Know
No details were provided on the implementation of these proposals. According to several CNBC reports, CEOs did not leave with a good impression.
Ross Sorkin, one of the hosts of Squawk Box, said that some CEOs noted that Donald Trump behaved in an unusual and chaotic manner. He often strayed from the topic of conversation and could not focus on one thought.
In his report, Sorkin added that some attendees who might have been inclined to support Trump left the room less inclined to do so. Trump also said at the meeting that he plans to eliminate the taxation of tips, which was met with some disdain from the CEOs.
Here's What We Know
The report mentions that Tim Cook was at the meeting along with Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.
A spokesman for Cook declined to comment on whether the Apple CEO was present at the meeting.
If the report of Cook's attendance is accurate, the Apple CEO had the time, as Cook was spotted at WWDC on Thursday at various events and sessions throughout the day.
Details
Cook and Trump have met several times in the past. They had lunch and dinner together several times during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos in January 2020.
In August 2019, Cook had a phone conversation with Trump to explain why tariffs would hinder the iPhone's ability to compete with other manufacturers, prompting the administration to postpone tariffs on the iPhone. This conversation also led to Trump's public praise of Cook as a great leader.
However, there have been occasions when Cook has refused to address issues raised by Trump, such as Trump's statement in 2018 that Cook had promised to build three large factories in the US.
Source: CNBC