Apple shareholders have voted in favour of upholding the tech giant’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies during its 2025 annual meeting.
More than 97% of voters rejected a proposal to “cease DEI efforts”.
The vote comes amid a growing trend of American companies choosing to scrap or modify their DEI programs.
Background
Earlier this month, Google became the latest tech company to walk back its DEI initiatives. It followed a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that prohibited universities from considering racial and ethnic diversity when selecting incoming students.
Last year, McDonald’s said it would no longer work towards specific targets of diverse representation in U.S. leadership positions, citing a “shifting legal landscape”.
Companies like Walmart and Harley-Davidson have both pulled out of annual employee inclusivity surveys.
Proposal
The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, proposed the ban.
The group includes what’s known as ‘shareholder activists’ — a person who uses their rights as a shareholder in publicly traded companies to push for changes.
The Center says it intends to hold companies “accountable for leftist policies that pose both legal and financial risks.”
In a statement accompanying its proposal to other Apple shareholders, the Center accused the company’s DEI programs of being “more radical than most”.
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During Tuesday’s meeting, spokesperson Stefan Padfield argued DEI initiatives “routinely discriminate on the basis of race, sex, and other demographic categories.”
“The vibe shift is clear. DEI is out. America is in,” Padfield said.
Apple
Apple called the move “unnecessary” and said it would control the company’s management inappropriately.
During the meeting, CEO Tim Cook said Apple’s “strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture... where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together”.
Referring to Trump’s efforts to ban DEI in the government, Cook said Apple may reconsider its stance if “the legal landscape around these issues evolves”.
DEI & Trump
Last month, Trump signed an executive order to stop federal contractors from having DEI programs.
However, the executive order has been paused from coming into effect by a federal court in Maryland.
If successful, businesses working with the government would have to shut down their DEI programs.
Apple is a government contractor.
