Tim Cook Thanks Wrong President for US Chip Manufacturing

Apple CEO Tim Cook just gave us a masterclass in corporate diplomacy. He thanked Trump for semiconductor manufacturing progress that Biden actually delivered. Talk about awkward timing.

In a pre-recorded message to business executives, Cook praised Trump's "focus on domestic semiconductor manufacturing." The timing raised eyebrows. Just 18 months ago, Cook stood next to Biden at TSMC's Arizona plant, explicitly thanking him for the CHIPS Act that made expanded U.S. manufacturing possible.

Cook's selective memory comes with context. Apple faces nearly $1 billion in tariff impacts on their Q3 earnings under the current administration. The tech giant needs friends in high places – and seems willing to rewrite recent history to get them.

Following the Money

The numbers tell the real story. Apple plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over four years. They'll source 19 billion chips from American companies this year alone. TSMC's Arizona plant, where Apple stands as the largest customer, represents a major shift in semiconductor manufacturing back to U.S. soil.

A History of Strategic Friendship

This isn't Cook's first dance with Trump. December saw him visit Mar-a-Lago. He donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund. He showed up at the ceremony. Every move calculates risk against reward.

Trump called the CHIPS Act "ridiculous" and "horrible." He threatened to pull its funding. Yet Cook credits him for the semiconductor renaissance the Act enabled.

Coast-to-Coast Expansion

Meanwhile, Apple expands across nine states. They're building an AI server factory in Texas. Their supplier network spans all fifty states. But these achievements stem from policies Cook conveniently misattributes.

Made in America: The Real Story

The semiconductor industry's return to American soil marks a significant shift. TSMC's Arizona investment grew substantially after Biden's CHIPS Act passed. The plant Cook visited with Biden represents exactly what he now credits to Trump.

Back in 2022, Cook gushed about Biden's "leadership" and thanked him specifically for the CHIPS Act. He called it an "incredibly exciting day for America." Today's message strikes a different tone.

The Bottom Line

Behind the corporate theater lies a simple truth: Apple needs political allies more than historical accuracy. With billions in tariff impacts looming, Cook plays both sides of the aisle with practiced precision.

Why this matters:

• This isn't just about semiconductors – it's about how tech giants navigate political waters when billions hang in the balance
• Cook's strategic amnesia shows corporate America's real skill: telling each administration exactly what they want to hear, regardless of facts

Read on, my dear:

• Bloomberg: Apple to Source 19 Billion Chips from US Factories, Cook Says
• 9to5mac: Apple says Trump import tariffs will increase its costs by $900 million this quarter