Apple CEO Tim Cook is hosting a 28 June fundraiser for US house speaker Paul Ryan and his political operation, according to two Republican aides.
Some of the money will go to the National Republican Congressional Committee to benefit the party’s other house candidates, a sign that Cook is aiming to boost the fortunes of establishment Republicans.
By contrast, Apple isn’t expected to sponsor the Republican Party’s national convention in Cleveland in July, said a person with knowledge of the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
That decision, according to Politico, was made because of controversial comments made by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump about women, minority groups, refugees and immigrants.
A group of activists has been pressuring big corporations to withhold their support from the convention this year over Trump’s remarks. Coca-Cola, Microsoft and HP are among companies that have scaled back or dropped support of the convention this year.
Encryption battle
Apple and Trump also have been at odds since the San Bernardino, California, shooting in December. Trump called for a boycott of Apple after it declined to help the government break the encryption on the shooter’s iPhone.
“Boycott all Apple products until such time as Apple gives cellphone info to authorities regarding radical Islamic terrorist couple from Cal,” Trump tweeted on 19 February.
Cook’s private fundraising breakfast with Ryan is to be held in Menlo Park, California. It was reported earlier by Politico.
Apple spokesman Fred Sainz declined to comment. — (c) 2016 Bloomberg LP