Apple shareholders have voted to reject a proposal that sought to dismantle its Inclusion & Diversity program. The decision, announced at Apple’s annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday, comes at a time when many major corporations are rolling back DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs in response to political and legal pressures.
The proposal, submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), called for Apple to eliminate its DEI policies, arguing that such initiatives could lead to discriminatory practices and pose financial risks. It cited recent moves by companies such as Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Zoom to scale back their DEI commitments, along with an executive order from President Donald Trump targeting diversity initiatives in federal agencies.
“The risks to Apple stemming from continuing to push these divisive and value-destroying agendas is only increasing in light of President Trump’s recent executive order focusing the Department of Justice on rooting out illegal discrimination being carried out in the name of DEI,” NCPPR Executive Director Stephen Padfield stated during the meeting.
Apple, however, opposed the measure, arguing that it complies with employment laws and that eliminating DEI efforts would be counterproductive. CEO Tim Cook defended the company’s commitment to diversity, emphasizing that Apple’s strength lies in bringing together people from different backgrounds to drive innovation.
“Our strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate and create something magical for our users,” Cook said.
Despite reaffirming its commitment, Cook acknowledged that shifting legal and political landscapes might necessitate adjustments to Apple’s DEI programs in the future.
Apple’s decision stands in contrast to the broader corporate trend of scaling back diversity efforts. A 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in college admissions has fueled legal challenges against DEI programs in the private sector. Companies such as McDonald’s, Target, Ford, Lowe’s, and Walmart have either reduced or eliminated DEI initiatives in recent months.
The rollback has accelerated under Trump’s administration, which has taken steps to dismantle federal DEI programs. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order halting diversity initiatives across federal agencies, declaring them “radical and wasteful.” The move has emboldened conservative groups to challenge corporate diversity efforts, increasing legal and political scrutiny on businesses that maintain such programs.
Apple’s inclusion efforts include internal support groups, accessibility initiatives, and research aimed at ensuring its products do not perpetuate racial bias. According to its most recent diversity report, nearly two-thirds of Apple’s workforce is male, with 35% female representation. Racially, 42% of employees are white, while 30% are Asian.
As the debate over DEI continues to unfold, Apple’s decision signals that at least some major corporations remain committed to diversity initiatives despite growing external pressures.
