US senators question big tech, including Apple, on the reason behind inauguration donation...

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Apple may not have donated directly, but CEO Tim Cook joined other big tech companies in donating $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, and senators have concerns about corruption.

Aerial view of a large circular building with a central garden containing trees, pathways, and a multicolored rainbow structure, surrounded by green landscape and residential area.
Apple didn't donate to the inauguration directly. Image source: Apple



It's been no secret that tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are concerned about how the incoming administration will view so-called "big tech." Many major tech companies have contributed at least $1 million to the Trump inauguration fund, and many CEOs and billionaires will be present, which is a departure from previous inaugurations.

According to a report from The Verge, the significance of unusually large donations for this presidency isn't lost on US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet. They question the motive behind the donations and worry that it is a sign of corruption.

"You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions," the lawmakers write. "These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers."

Data shows that previous donations were significantly smaller by comparison for the Biden inauguration four years ago. Meta didn't donate at all, Google provided $337,500, and Apple donated only $43,200.

It is worth noting that this scrutiny from senators may be one of the several reasons why Apple CEO Tim Cook donated the $1 million personally from his funds. Apple hasn't contributed any of its finances to the inauguration fund.

There are sure to be conspiracy theories around the sum of $1 million appearing on every big tech donation check. One could even call back to that scene in "Austin Powers" where Dr. Evil is laughed out of the room for asking for such an absurdly low ransom for the world.

However, instead of paying ransoms, big tech appears to be paying for favors from the incoming administration. It's no secret that lawmakers around the world, including in the United States, have been scrutinizing and regulating big tech at an increased rate.

There's no way of knowing how the donations and attendance to the inauguration will affect Trump, if at all. Some have even gone so far as to change their company policy and throw parties to celebrate the incoming administration.

It was learned very quickly during the first Trump term that flattery went a long way. Tim Cook kept that in mind when attending dinners and meetings, or making phone calls directly to Trump.

Flattery and citizen outcries may also be what lead to the TikTok ban enforcement being delayed, and ultimately, overturned.

It isn't clear what the senators intend to do about this. They ask for a response from the tech companies by January 30.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 51
    sbdudesbdude Posts: 301member
    Elizabeth Warren. And that's all you need to know.
    JanNLGraeme000aross99danoxzeus423Alex_VB-Mc-Csunman42macikewatto_cobra
     5Likes 7Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 51
    Why don't they question all the lobby money they get?

    Bunch of hypocrites. The reckoning its coming.
    JanNLdanielchowmaltzGraeme000aross99MisterKitfred1zeus423B-Mc-Ctht
     10Likes 3Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 51
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,141member
    They’re called bribes. 
    Trump must have gotten $10-$20 mil by now. The inauguration will cost a couple, the rest will go in his pocket. Simple as that. He did the same thing for his first inauguration. 
    JanNLronncpsroGraeme000aross99elijahgCloudTalkintmaydavidlewis54danox
     17Likes 3Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 51
    They have to ask?
    zeus423watto_cobra
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  • Reply 5 of 51
    *clutches pearls*
    zeus423watto_cobra
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  • Reply 6 of 51
    cpsrocpsro Posts: 3,251member
    Re-elect a career grifter--now with a grudge--and this is what you get. Trump even bankrupted his own casinos, he's that savvy.
    Congress needs to legislate the Citizens United vs. FEC decision out of existence. The mutant GOP we have won't do it, though.
    DAalsethronn13485CalvinatorelijahgCloudTalkintmayroundaboutnowdanoxAlex_V
     14Likes 2Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 51
    lol, Meanwhile $$$millions went to Biden 4 years ago from many of the SAME donors contributing to Trump, don't recall the outrage then... what short memories we have. So when Biden similarly got money it was not "possible corruption"? Give me a break. You do have to appreciate the hypocrisy though, it's great entertainment.

    In reality, the fact that Tim donated to Trump's inauguration shows how active he is in working with all people to accomplish his and Apple's goals rather than crying about who is in the Executive Branch. Much respect to Tim.
    aross99JanNLCalvinatorelijahgroundaboutnowdanoxzeus423ronnB-Mc-Cmacike
     10Likes 10Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 51
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 8,103member
    Why don't they question all the lobby money they get?

    Bunch of hypocrites. The reckoning its coming.
    Lobbying is out of control and it's easy to see how these 'contributions' can be interpreted as a form of lobby. 

    It's not my country but it does make me uneasy seeing how much, money gets invested in 'influence' or whatever you want to call it.

    Clearly, something needs to be done on a preventative level and then also, at some point down the road, the situation needs to be investigated to see if the payments (past, present or future) did actually buy favour or not.

    Perhaps difficult or impossible to determine. 

    Looking on from the outside, things look very bleak. Almost the perfect storm forming and everyone only interested in their own potential gains. 
    elijahgdanoxAlex_Vmacikemuthuk_vanalingamiOS_Guy80retrogustoAppleZuluwatto_cobratiredskills
     9Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 51

    cpsro said:
    Re-elect a career grifter--now with a grudge--and this is what you get. Trump even bankrupted his own casinos, he's that savvy.
    Congress needs to legislate the Citizens United vs. FEC decision out of existence. The mutant GOP we have won't do it, though.
    Actually ALL of DC won't do that, every politician (right and left) feed off the donation flow coming in. Those who say they do not are lying.
    danoxronnB-Mc-Cwatto_cobratiredskills
     2Likes 3Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 51
    1348513485 Posts: 386member
    That wine list and canapés must be really expensive. So probably no chicken nuggets or quarter pounders.

    Is it a bribe? Do we really have to answer that, given the transactional nature of the guy ("If you like me, I like you--as long as you make it worth my while, Be a shame what could happen.")?

    But that ship has sailed in the minds of 49.8% of the voters. 

    CalvinatortmayronnAlex_Vmacikewatto_cobraNachtswaermertiredskills
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  • Reply 11 of 51
    Wesley Hilliardwesley hilliard Posts: 374member, administrator, moderator, editor
    MacPack4 said:
    lol, Meanwhile $$$millions went to Biden 4 years ago from many of the SAME donors contributing to Trump, don't recall the outrage then... what short memories we have. So when Biden similarly got money it was not "possible corruption"? Give me a break. You do have to appreciate the hypocrisy though, it's great entertainment.

    In reality, the fact that Tim donated to Trump's inauguration shows how active he is in working with all people to accomplish his and Apple's goals rather than crying about who is in the Executive Branch. Much respect to Tim.
    Read the story again. It's a question because the same entities didn't donate, or donated a significant fraction less for Biden's inauguration. It's not equal, not even close.
    DAalsethhmlongcoroundaboutnowdanoxronnAlex_Vmacikemuthuk_vanalingamdewmeilarynx
     15Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 12 of 51
    JinTechjintech Posts: 1,085member
    They should be investigating Trump and the reason why he is receiving these “donations” to begin with. 

    We all know if you don’t pay favors to Trump, you’re not on his good side. Extortion plain and simple. 
    Calvinatordanoxronnmacikecanukstormwatto_cobratiredskills
     6Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 51
    9blu9blu Posts: 3member
    DAalseth said:
    They’re called bribes. 
    Trump must have gotten $10-$20 mil by now. The inauguration will cost a couple, the rest will go in his pocket. Simple as that. He did the same thing for his first inauguration. 

    Try $170m and it's expected to go to $200m when it's all counted, according to the AP. Supposedly leftover funds will be used for his presidential library but we'll see how that pans out. Should be noted that he raised $107m for his first term while Biden raised $62m for his.

    Also I suspect these are less bribes and more ransoms to keep Trump from targeting them.
    edited January 17
    MisterKittmaydanoxzeus423ronndewmeNachtswaermertiredskills
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  • Reply 14 of 51
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,141member
    9blu said:
    DAalseth said:
    They’re called bribes. 
    Trump must have gotten $10-$20 mil by now. The inauguration will cost a couple, the rest will go in his pocket. Simple as that. He did the same thing for his first inauguration. 

    Try $170m and it's expected to go to $200m when it's all counted, according to the AP. Supposedly leftover funds will be used for his presidential library but we'll see how that pans out. Should be noted that he raised $107m for his first term while Biden raised $62m for his.

    Also I suspect these are less bribes and more ransoms to keep Trump from targeting them.
    Yeah I was being very conservative on my estimate. Ironic no? 
    I think at this point whether they were bribes, or Trump is running a protection racket is esoteric. 
    ronnwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 15 of 51
    Why don't they question all the lobby money they get?

    Bunch of hypocrites. The reckoning its coming.
    They don't question it because there are a lot more rules/regulations that have to be followed with lobbying (like lobbyist donations made to campaign funds) than there are for an inauguration. Example: an inaugural committee isn't required to provide details on how the donations are spent. That was an issue with Trump's 2017 inauguration because Trump took in twice the amount of $$ that Barack Obama received from donors in 2009 but held far fewer inaugural events than Obama did. 
    edited January 17
    danoxronndewmewatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 2Informatives
  • Reply 16 of 51
    MacPack4 said:
    lol, Meanwhile $$$millions went to Biden 4 years ago from many of the SAME donors contributing to Trump, don't recall the outrage then... what short memories we have. So when Biden similarly got money it was not "possible corruption"? Give me a break. You do have to appreciate the hypocrisy though, it's great entertainment.

    In reality, the fact that Tim donated to Trump's inauguration shows how active he is in working with all people to accomplish his and Apple's goals rather than crying about who is in the Executive Branch. Much respect to Tim.
    Read the story again. It's a question because the same entities didn't donate, or donated a significant fraction less for Biden's inauguration. It's not equal, not even close.
    Lol, I only need to read it once but thank you. Pretty interesting how the same companies donated to both campaigns but now it's a concern? As for the amount, the FEC does not have limitations on inauguration contributions so the amount does not matter. But if companies and individuals are contributing more to Trump maybe it is because of inflation and not corruption! lololol... Senators (and maybe you) implying that high contributions indicate corruption is laughable, perhaps one should look at the discrepancy between Trump and Kamala's campaign contributions as an example of this hypocrisy.
    hmlongcoDAalsethJanNLroundaboutnowronnm4m40AppleZuluwatto_cobraNachtswaermer
     1Like 8Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 51
    Wesley Hilliardwesley hilliard Posts: 374member, administrator, moderator, editor
    MacPack4 said:
    MacPack4 said:
    lol, Meanwhile $$$millions went to Biden 4 years ago from many of the SAME donors contributing to Trump, don't recall the outrage then... what short memories we have. So when Biden similarly got money it was not "possible corruption"? Give me a break. You do have to appreciate the hypocrisy though, it's great entertainment.

    In reality, the fact that Tim donated to Trump's inauguration shows how active he is in working with all people to accomplish his and Apple's goals rather than crying about who is in the Executive Branch. Much respect to Tim.
    Read the story again. It's a question because the same entities didn't donate, or donated a significant fraction less for Biden's inauguration. It's not equal, not even close.
    Lol, I only need to read it once but thank you. Pretty interesting how the same companies donated to both campaigns but now it's a concern? As for the amount, the FEC does not have limitations on inauguration contributions so the amount does not matter. But if companies and individuals are contributing more to Trump maybe it is because of inflation and not corruption! lololol... Senators (and maybe you) implying that high contributions indicate corruption is laughable, perhaps one should look at the discrepancy between Trump and Kamala's campaign contributions as an example of this hypocrisy.
    $43,200 vs $1,000,000 isn't inflation.
    foregoneconclusionroundaboutnowronnmuthuk_vanalingamdewmeilarynxAppleZuluwatto_cobraNachtswaermertiredskills
     10Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 18 of 51
    cpsrocpsro Posts: 3,251member
    MacPack4 said:

    cpsro said:
    Re-elect a career grifter--now with a grudge--and this is what you get. Trump even bankrupted his own casinos, he's that savvy.
    Congress needs to legislate the Citizens United vs. FEC decision out of existence. The mutant GOP we have won't do it, though.
    Actually ALL of DC won't do that, every politician (right and left) feed off the donation flow coming in. Those who say they do not are lying.
    Trump's overt, highly inappropriate if not illegal, pay-to-play behavior takes it to an extreme level.
    DAalsethroundaboutnowdanoxronnForumPostdewmewatto_cobratiredskills
     8Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 19 of 51
    You have to ask? Everyone's donating more to Donald because they know Donald is corruptible.
    roundaboutnowdavidlewis54danoxronnmuthuk_vanalingamForumPostiOS_Guy80dewmewatto_cobratiredskills
     10Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 20 of 51
    MacPack4 said:
    MacPack4 said:
    lol, Meanwhile $$$millions went to Biden 4 years ago from many of the SAME donors contributing to Trump, don't recall the outrage then... what short memories we have. So when Biden similarly got money it was not "possible corruption"? Give me a break. You do have to appreciate the hypocrisy though, it's great entertainment.

    In reality, the fact that Tim donated to Trump's inauguration shows how active he is in working with all people to accomplish his and Apple's goals rather than crying about who is in the Executive Branch. Much respect to Tim.
    Read the story again. It's a question because the same entities didn't donate, or donated a significant fraction less for Biden's inauguration. It's not equal, not even close.
    Lol, I only need to read it once but thank you. Pretty interesting how the same companies donated to both campaigns but now it's a concern? As for the amount, the FEC does not have limitations on inauguration contributions so the amount does not matter. But if companies and individuals are contributing more to Trump maybe it is because of inflation and not corruption! lololol... Senators (and maybe you) implying that high contributions indicate corruption is laughable, perhaps one should look at the discrepancy between Trump and Kamala's campaign contributions as an example of this hypocrisy.
    $43,200 vs $1,000,000 isn't inflation.
    lol, yep! Thanks for the fact check, I appreciate your ability to field a joke. Now use your sleuthing to do the Kamala vs. Trump campaign $$ discrepancy, seems like a lot of "corruption" going on there too.
    JanNLroundaboutnowronnm4m40AppleZuluwatto_cobracharlesnNachtswaermertiredskills
     1Like 8Dislikes 0Informatives
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