By Trendsetter Tribune 
Apple CEO Tim Cook addressed employees after criticism over his attendance at a White House event hosted by Donald and Melania Trump amid rising tensions in Minneapolis.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has sent a personal memo to employees following backlash over his attendance at a VIP White House event hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Cook attended a private screening of a Melania Trump documentary on Saturday night, just hours after ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis. The incident marked the second fatal shooting of a city resident by federal agents this month, following the earlier death of Renee Good.
Public criticism quickly followed, with some Apple customers expressing anger over Cook’s presence at the event and threatening boycotts or service cancellations. Others questioned the optics of attending a private screening for a high-profile documentary funded by a rival streaming company during a period of national unrest.
In his internal memo, Cook echoed language used earlier by Trump, calling the situation in Minneapolis a moment for restraint. “This is a time for deescalation,” Cook wrote. “I believe America is strongest when we treat everyone with dignity and respect and embrace our shared humanity.”
Cook also revealed that he had spoken directly with the president earlier in the week. “I had a good conversation with the president where I shared my views on the events in Minneapolis,” he said, adding that he appreciated the willingness to engage on difficult issues.
The White House event drew attention not only for its timing but also for its guest list, which included executives from other major tech companies. The screening took place in a temporary theater after renovations removed the historic White House Family Theater.
Cook is not the only tech leader weighing in on the immigration enforcement controversy. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also sent a message to employees criticizing ICE’s actions. “What’s happening is going too far,” Altman wrote, calling for clear limits and accountability.
Following recent events in Minneapolis, employee activism has grown across the tech sector. More than 450 workers from companies including Google, Meta, and OpenAI have signed a letter urging executives to push for the withdrawal of ICE agents from U.S. cities and to publicly oppose related violence.
The White House, Apple, and OpenAI have been contacted for comment as tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement and corporate leadership continue to intensify.