Tim Cook, how low will you go?(ljpuk.net)
ljpuk.net
Tim Cook, how low will you go?
https://ljpuk.net/2025/09/07/tim-cook-how-low-will-you-go/
4 comments
Somewhere on the horizon is the distinct possibility some tech leaders will serve time for the favors they curry from Trump, and Tim Cook is probably the top candidate after Apple's run of good luck in the last month: tariffs, Watch ban, and Google Search deal all ending spectacularly for Apple amidst massive investment announcements and of course the gift.
There's already one court case, Masimo v. Customs and Border Protection, exploring whether the investment pledges constituted a bribe:
> 59. During the months following the denial of its second administrative ruling request, Apple announced a series of substantial investments in the United States. See, e.g., Press Release, Apple Will Spend More Than $500 billion in the U.S. Over the Next Four Years, Apple (Feb. 24, 2025). Press Release, Apple Expands U.S. Supply Chain With $500 Million Commitment to American Rare Earth Magnets, Apple (July 15, 2025) Press Release, Apple Increases U.S. Commitment to $600 Billion, Announces American Manufacturing Program, Apple (Aug. 6, 2025).
> 60. On August 14, 2025, Apple announced that it was now able to provide blood oxygen monitoring features on its Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 Apple watches
> 61. Plaintiff was unaware of any new ruling by CBP because neither Apple nor CBP had provided Plaintiff any notice of a new CBP proceeding. Plaintiff was provided no opportunity to participate in any proceeding or process that led to this new ruling. It therefore appears that whatever proceeding led to this new ruling departed substantially from CBP’s established practice regarding LEO ruling requests.
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.283...
There's already one court case, Masimo v. Customs and Border Protection, exploring whether the investment pledges constituted a bribe:
> 59. During the months following the denial of its second administrative ruling request, Apple announced a series of substantial investments in the United States. See, e.g., Press Release, Apple Will Spend More Than $500 billion in the U.S. Over the Next Four Years, Apple (Feb. 24, 2025). Press Release, Apple Expands U.S. Supply Chain With $500 Million Commitment to American Rare Earth Magnets, Apple (July 15, 2025) Press Release, Apple Increases U.S. Commitment to $600 Billion, Announces American Manufacturing Program, Apple (Aug. 6, 2025).
> 60. On August 14, 2025, Apple announced that it was now able to provide blood oxygen monitoring features on its Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 Apple watches
> 61. Plaintiff was unaware of any new ruling by CBP because neither Apple nor CBP had provided Plaintiff any notice of a new CBP proceeding. Plaintiff was provided no opportunity to participate in any proceeding or process that led to this new ruling. It therefore appears that whatever proceeding led to this new ruling departed substantially from CBP’s established practice regarding LEO ruling requests.
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.283...
With that said, he's the CEO, he represents the interests of the company and the shareholders. Given that the corrupt fat fuck President clearly punishes companies that are not sufficiently prostrate before him, it's the right thing to do despite it being morally and ethically empty.