Apple Has Reportedly Pulled Out of the GOP Convention, Citing Trump’s Rhetoric

Apple recently informed US Republican leadership that it will not provide support for the 2016 GOP Convention, to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, in July. (Apple was on a list of sponsors for the 2012 convention.)

Though Google and Microsoft have yet to divest from this year’s event, Apple has decided not to donate technology or funds, according to a report in Politico. Politico cited anonymous sources who claimed the tech giant had grown uncomfortable with presumptive nominee Donald Trump’s controversial rhetoric regarding immigrants and minorities—specifically Latinos and Muslims—as well as women.

Back in March, Trump called for a boycott of Apple products after the company refused to provide a backdoor for FBI officers attempting to break into one of the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhones.

Apple’s decision follows on the heels of a reduction in funding for the 2016 convention from another corporate sponsor, Coca-Cola. The company shelled out $660,000 in 2012, but has only pledged $75,000 this time around (It has pledged the same amount to the Democratic convention in Philadelphia). A Coca-Cola spokesperson stressed the company’s “nonpartisan” status to The New York Times. But clearly, America’s corporate executives are nervous about the impact association with Trump might have on their brands.

According to Bloomberg, Wells Fargo & Co., United Parcel Service Inc., Motorola Solutions Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ford Motor Co., and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. have all signaled that they will not be matching the funds or product donated to the 2012 convention in Tampa, Florida. In a similar sign of the highly charged political climate this election season, BuzzFeed recently canceled a $1.3 million ad dealwith the RNC over Trump’s talking points.

Neither Apple nor the GOP responded to requests for comment at this time.

(Image via Flickr user plasticpeople)