Apple CEO Tim Cook Donates $1 Million To Trump’s Inaugural Committee Amid Firm's Legal Battle

Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged to donate $1 million from his personal wealth to US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund ahead of the swearing-in on January 20, Axios has reported.

Cook's decision follows several other notable donations and contributions to Trump's inaugural committee, including from Amazon, OpenAI, Toyota Motor North America, and cryptocurrency firms Kraken, Ripple, and Ondo.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

According to the report, Cook sees the inauguration as a significant American tradition and is donating in the "spirit of unity." Apple, the largest taxpayer in the US, is not expected to contribute as a company.

Apple to settle lawsuit

Cook's donation comes on the heels of Apple agreeing to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the company used its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on users of its iPhones and other devices.

The lawsuit, which has been ongoing for five years, claims Apple secretly activated Siri to record conversations over the span of more than a decade.

Although Apple, whose CEO Tim Cook describes privacy as "a fundamental human right," has not admitted any wrongdoing, the settlement would allow millions of Apple customers to file claims for up to $20 per eligible device. News agency AP reported that only 3% to 5% of affected consumers are expected to file claims, according to court documents.

Other notable donations

Toyota Motor North America is also donating $1 million, following similar contributions from Ford Motor and General Motors. The American automakers are additionally providing vehicles for the event.

Retail trading platform Robinhood Markets has pledged $2 million.

Uber Technologies and its CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, are each donating $1 million.

Amazon will donate $1 million and livestream the inauguration on its OTT platform Prime Video.

Ken Griffin, founder of the Citadel LLC hedge fund, has also committed to donating $1 million. Griffin did not make any donations to Trump's presidential campaign during the election.