Apple CEO Tim Cook is reportedly reaching into his own pockets to write a $1 million check to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee.
Axios reported that only Cook is expected to give to the fund — not the company.
Cook “believes the inauguration is a great American tradition, and is donating to the inauguration in the spirit of unity,” the report said, citing sources close to Cook. He “has made it clear over the years that he believes in participation, not sitting on the sidelines, and engaging with policymakers from both sides of the aisle.”
The report noted that Apple is America’s and the world’s largest taxpayer.
Trump has secured $1 million donations from other top business leaders and companies including from Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg — whose company owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more.
Amazon.com was also planning to donate $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. The donation is being prepared as Bezos, who serves as Amazon’s executive chairman, is expected to travel to Mar-a-Lago next week for a private meeting with Trump.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was also reportedly planning to donate $1 million to the fund, telling The New York Times: “President Trump will lead our country into the age of A.I., and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.”
Major automakers General Motors, Ford, and Toyota have all promised to donate $1 million each toward the fund.
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that the shift by business leaders to cozy up to the incoming president reflected a state of “panic” that they had.
“I think the term is ‘panic.’ These guys were all anti-Trump, and they all know he has a great memory, an enormous amount of energy and is quite prepared to go after people who he thinks are a problem,” Gingrich told Bloomberg.
Tim Pearce contributed to this report.
