Donald Trump and Tim Cook’s behind-the-scenes relationship just got its most unfiltered moment yet. The President offered a candid retelling of how the outgoing Apple CEO first reached out to him, revealing the surprisingly blunt terms in which he viewed their earliest interactions.
Donald Trump praises Tim Cook in new post
President Donald Trump praised outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook in a lengthy Truth Social post on Tuesday. Trump called Cook an “incredible guy” and recounted how Cook first contacted him during his first term. “He had a fairly large problem that only I, as President, could fix,” Trump wrote in the post.
Trump described his reaction to receiving Cook’s initial phone call with characteristic bluntness. “When I got the call I said, wow, it’s Tim Apple (Cook!) calling, how big is that?” Trump wrote. He added that he felt impressed “to have the head of Apple calling to ‘kiss my a**.'” At the time of writing, Apple representatives have not responded to a request for comment.
The post offered a candid look at how business leaders navigate the Trump White House. Daniel Weiner, director of the elections and government program at the Brennan Center for Justice, responded directly. He called it a view into Trump’s “nakedly transactional and also nakedly personalistic approach to governing.”
Cook secured notable policy wins during both Trump terms, including tariff exemptions on phones, computers, and chips. Trump acknowledged that he “helped Tim Cook” with that move. “During my five years as President, Tim would call me, but never too much, and I would help him where I could,” Trump wrote.
Cook presented Trump with a 24-karat gold-and-glass statue bearing “Made in U.S.A.” in August. Apple simultaneously announced an additional $100 billion commitment to American manufacturing. John Ternus will replace Cook as CEO on September 1, while Cook transitions to executive chairman.
Apple confirmed Cook will continue engaging with policymakers in his new role. The company stated Cook “will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world.”
