Donald Trump Applauds Tim Cook's Leadership at Apple, Ranks Him Above Steve Jobs

In a recent episode of the PBD Podcast, former President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Tim Cook has been a more effective CEO for Apple than its iconic founder, Steve Jobs. Trump stated, "I believe that if Tim Cook didn’t run Apple, if Steve Jobs did, it wouldn’t be nearly as successful as it is now." He emphasized that while he wasn't undermining Jobs' contributions, Cook's leadership has been pivotal to Apple's current success.

A Close Relationship with the Trump Administration

The former president's comments highlight the close relationship Cook maintained with Trump during his presidency. Cook was known for his strategic engagement with the administration, including frequent calls to Trump and his participation on the Workforce Policy Advisory Board. In 2019, Cook successfully negotiated an exemption for Apple from tariffs on Chinese imports, which led to him gifting Trump one of the first Mac Pros produced at Apple's new U.S. facility. Trump has previously described Cook as "a very good businessman," underscoring the mutual respect between the two.

Addressing European Union Challenges

During the podcast, Trump also mentioned a recent conversation with Cook regarding the European Union's financial penalties against Apple. The E.U. has been a significant challenge for Apple, with a judge ruling in September that the company must repay nearly $15 billion in unpaid taxes. Additionally, the E.U.'s regulatory body fined Apple almost $2 billion for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the music streaming market. Trump assured Cook that if he wins the upcoming election, he will not allow the E.U. to "take advantage" of American companies, signaling his intent to protect U.S. business interests on the global stage.