Tim Cook doesn’t hate all Republicans — just Donald Trump

By

Tim Cook
Tim Cook wants to be pals with Paul Ryan.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is boycotting the Republican National Convention this year due to Donald Trump being the party’s presumed nominee, but CEO Tim Cook actually wants to strengthen ties with the GOP.

Cook reportedly plans to host a fundraiser for House Speaker Paul Ryan next week as part of the Apple’s effort to court Republican lawmakers.

Cook’s fundraiser will be held June 28 in Menlo Park, California, reports Politico, which obtained a copy of the invite sent out Monday. The private breakfast will be co-hosted by Apple VP & Treasurer Gary Wipfler.

The fundraiser comes after Apple decided against donating cash and technology to the GOP convention next month due to Trump’s vitriolic remarks about immigrants, minorities and women. Trump hasn’t commented about Apple’s GOP convention no-show yet. He called for a boycott of Apple earlier in the presidential campaign, saying the company should manufacture its products in the United States rather than overseas. Trump failed to live up to the boycott himself.

The Cook and Ryan breakfast isn’t being officially held by Apple because the company does not have a political action committee, unlike Facebook, Google and Microsoft, which have significantly larger lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.

Cook has been no stranger to both sides of the aisle during his visits to the nation’s capital. The Apple CEO has played a larger political role than Steve Jobs, making appearances before House committees as well as meeting with Democrat and Republican lawmakers.

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