Apple Shareholders Uphold Diversity Policies Amid Conservative Pushback

Apple Inc. (AAPL.O) shareholders voted on Tuesday to maintain the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, rejecting efforts by a conservative group seeking to dismantle the initiatives. The decision marks a victory for Apple’s leadership, which had opposed the proposal.

The vote, held during the tech giant’s annual shareholder meeting, was seen as a barometer of investor sentiment on corporate DEI programs. Many companies expanded such initiatives in response to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, but a rising conservative backlash has prompted major firms—including Meta (META.O) and Alphabet (GOOGL.O)—to scale back similar efforts, particularly as former U.S. President Donald Trump mounts a return to the political stage.

Conservative Opposition to DEI

Trump has openly criticized corporate DEI programs, labeling them discriminatory, and has suggested that the U.S. Department of Justice could investigate whether they violate federal law.

The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative free-market think tank, had submitted a proposal titled “Request to Cease DEI Efforts,” arguing that recent legal changes could expose Apple to increased discrimination lawsuits if it continued its policies. In response, Apple assured shareholders that it maintains strong oversight to mitigate legal risks and asserted that the proposal would unduly restrict management’s ability to operate effectively.

While Apple publishes diversity data on its workforce, the company does not set quotas or specific hiring targets. Instead, its DEI initiatives focus on programs such as a racial justice initiative supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. The company also conducts DEI efforts internationally, including coding education programs for Indigenous communities in Mexico and partnerships with Aboriginal-led nonprofits focused on criminal justice reform in Australia.

Shareholders Reject Other Proposals

Apple shareholders have previously voted down proposals that would have required the company to disclose additional details on racial and gender pay gaps.

At Tuesday’s meeting, CEO Tim Cook reaffirmed Apple’s commitment to fostering a diverse workplace.

“Our strength has always come from hiring the very best people and providing a culture of collaboration, one where individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate,” Cook said. However, he acknowledged that “as the legal landscape evolves, we may need to make some changes to comply, but our North Star of dignity and respect for everyone will never waver.”

The same conservative group behind Apple’s proposal recently urged Costco Wholesale (COST.O) to assess the risks of its DEI policies. However, Costco shareholders overwhelmingly rejected that measure in January.

Apple’s U.S. Investments and AI Risks

Meanwhile, Apple emphasized its commitment to domestic investment, announcing plans to spend $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. The move garnered praise from Trump just days after reports surfaced that Cook had met with him.

Shareholders also voted against a proposal calling for Apple to assess risks associated with its artificial intelligence (AI) projects. All management-backed proposals received approval, according to preliminary vote tallies.

Additionally, Cook confirmed that Apple will be the largest customer of a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (2330.TW) factory in Arizona—a facility Trump helped bring to the U.S. during his first term in office.