Fight against “DEI”: Apple keeps diversity programs

Apple is not joining the current retreat from diversity programs in American companies for the time being. At the electronics company's annual general meeting, shareholders rejected a motion to stop so-called "DEI" initiatives by a clear majority. The acronym stands for "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion". However, the vote may not be the last word. CEO Tim Cook said at the event that, depending on how the "legal environment" develops in these issues, Apple may also be forced to make changes in the future.

DEI programs have become a highly politically explosive topic in the United States and are also a target for President Donald Trump . They have become very widespread in companies and other institutions in recent years and aim to specifically support groups that have traditionally been underrepresented or exposed to discrimination, such as people of non-white skin.

Recently, however, a strong countermovement has emerged. Critics say that such programs ensure that performance no longer matters. They are also discriminatory in themselves and disadvantage white people. Activists from the conservative political camp have put pressure on companies to stop their DEI programs, and some lawsuits have also been filed.

DEI opponents felt vindicated by a Supreme Court decision last year that prohibited universities from using ethnicity as a criterion for student admission. Many companies have bowed to pressure in recent months and have scaled back or stopped their DEI initiatives altogether, including retail giant Walmart , fast food chain McDonald's , and internet company Meta .

Donald Trump has made fighting DEI programs a priority, declaring them “illegal” in several executive orders and ordering them to be shut down in all government agencies. One of the executive orders also “encouraged” companies to stop DEI projects.

The shareholder proposal at Apple's annual meeting was submitted by a conservative think tank, arguing that Apple's DEI programs were making itself vulnerable to discrimination lawsuits. Apple described the proposal as "unnecessary" and said it was an attempt to interfere in the company's business.