Apple’s board of directors is taking a stand, but not the kind anyone with common sense would applaud. In a move that perfectly encapsulates corporate America’s obsession with woke virtue-signaling, the board has recommended shareholders vote against a proposal to end the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This comes despite a clear shift among other major companies like Meta, Walmart, and McDonald’s, which have wisely decided to abandon similar initiatives.
The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, proposed the idea to Apple shareholders, citing the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in universities as a legal and cultural wake-up call. The proposal’s logic is sound: DEI programs invite divisive policies and potential lawsuits. But Apple’s board, led by CEO Tim Cook, insists the initiative is unnecessary and claims the think tank is trying to “micromanage” the company.
According to the board, Apple is already an “equal opportunity employer” that doesn’t discriminate in hiring or promotion. That’s a noble statement, but actions speak louder than words. DEI programs are fundamentally about discrimination—they simply dress it up in euphemisms like “equity.” When you prioritize hiring based on skin color, gender, or any other superficial factor, merit takes a backseat. And when merit takes a backseat, so does excellence.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, recently announced the end of its DEI programs, citing a “changing legal and policy landscape.” Translation: companies are finally realizing these initiatives are bad for business. Even Mark Zuckerberg, long criticized for his leftist antics, is trying to cozy up to President-elect Donald Trump by donating to his inauguration fund and hiring a Republican for public affairs. If Zuckerberg—of all people—sees the writing on the wall, what’s Apple’s excuse?
The pushback against DEI programs isn’t about denying opportunities or ignoring racial disparities. It’s about rejecting policies that divide instead of unite. Republicans have long opposed these initiatives, not because they don’t value diversity, but because they believe in rewarding talent and hard work over identity politics. Apple’s refusal to follow the lead of companies like Meta and Walmart reveals a company stuck in a woke echo chamber, ignoring the cultural and legal shifts happening around it.
As Trump prepares to take office and corporate America faces increasing pressure to ditch divisive policies, Apple’s decision is a glaring example of what happens when ideology trumps reality. If Tim Cook and his board think clinging to DEI will earn them brownie points with the far-left Twitter mob, they’re in for a rude awakening. Consumers and shareholders alike are tired of being lectured by companies that should focus on making quality products, not social engineering. Apple’s board may have voted for wokeness, but the American people are voting for common sense.