In a surprising twist, Apple CEO Tim Cook is reportedly dipping into his personal funds to contribute a staggering $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee. This move has sparked conversations about corporate leadership and political engagement.

According to Axios, this donation comes solely from Cook himself, not from Apple as a corporation. This distinction raises questions about the intersection of personal beliefs and corporate responsibilities.

Cook reportedly views the inauguration as an essential American tradition, contributing in the spirit of unity. Sources close to him indicate that he believes in active participation rather than passive observation when it comes to engaging with policymakers across the political spectrum.

Notably, Apple stands as one of the largest taxpayers in America and globally, which adds another layer of complexity to this donation. It reflects a broader trend among business leaders aligning themselves with Trump’s administration.

Other prominent figures have also pledged $1 million donations, including Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s executive chairman Jeff Bezos. Bezos is expected to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago soon, indicating a potential shift in corporate relations with the new administration.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has expressed similar sentiments, stating that he supports Trump’s vision for leading the country into an age of artificial intelligence. Major automakers like General Motors, Ford, and Toyota have also committed $1 million each to the inaugural fund.

Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich commented on this trend among business leaders as indicative of a state of “panic,” suggesting that many who previously opposed Trump are now scrambling to align themselves with his administration for fear of repercussions.

“I think the term is ‘panic.’ These guys were all anti-Trump…,” Gingrich remarked during an interview with Bloomberg.