California Governor Gavin Newsom used his appearance at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit to call out what he sees as a growing culture of deference toward Donald Trump. He pointed straight at the tech sector and said many leaders treat the President like someone they must please at all costs.
He then turned to Tim Cook, weaving the Apple CEO into the broader criticism. Newsom reminded the room about Cook’s earlier Oval Office meeting with Trump and the trophy moment that drew widespread attention. He said he understands why Cook acted that way because Apple depends heavily on China and faces deep tariff risks. Still, he argued that this environment forces executives to bow to a system that rewards access instead of fairness.
As the conversation moved forward, Newsom stressed that Cook’s actions reflect his duty to Apple’s shareholders. He said the problem lies not with Cook alone but with how the Trump administration encouraged this behavior. He pointed to what he described as crony capitalism, noting that Trump could grant tariff exemptions with a single call, something small businesses in California could never secure.
A Look at the Larger Tech Problem
Newsom used Tim Cook as one example, but he kept returning to the wider issue. He asked the audience whether they blame businesses for trying to protect themselves or the administration for creating a system where loyalty wins advantages. He said Trump elevated the expectation that leaders must “kiss the ring,” adding that this culture makes the tech industry vulnerable to political pressure.
Gavin also repeated his concern for farmers, ranchers, and small companies that do not get the same access as giants like Apple. Newsom said the imbalance breaks his heart because many local businesses cannot call Washington to escape financial strain. He argued that this imbalance proves how the system favors the powerful and leaves everyday operations behind.
In the end, Newsom said that while he begrudges the actions taken by some executives, he places more blame on the environment shaped by Trump. He insisted that Cook’s choices stem from fiduciary duty, but the larger problem remains the culture of fealty that he believes Trump encouraged.
