Trump Claims Tim Cook Called to ‘Kiss My Ass’, Credits the Relationship for Apple’s Success

Donald Trump has used the announcement of Tim Cook’s upcoming departure from Apple to reveal what he describes as a behind-the-scenes power dynamic between himself and one of the world’s most influential tech executives, claiming Cook regularly called him during his presidency seeking favours, “Kiss My Ass,” only a sitting president could grant.

Trump’s Truth Social Tribute Takes an Unexpected Turn

In a Tuesday morning post on his Truth Social platform, Trump paid tribute to the outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook with characteristic flair, calling Tim Cook “an incredible guy!!!” with “an AMAZING career.” But buried within the praise was a candid and eyebrow-raising admission about the nature of their relationship.

Trump claimed that during his first term, Tim Cook called him with “a fairly large problem that only I, as President, could fix,” adding: “Most people would have paid millions of dollars to a consultant… I was very impressed with myself to have the head of Apple calling to ‘kiss my ass.'”

Trump said he resolved the issue “quickly and effectively,” which he credits as the foundation of what became a recurring arrangement. Over the course of his presidency, he claims Cook reached out multiple times for high-level assistance, though Trump noted he didn’t always oblige, sayingTim  Cook would “on occasion, be too aggressive in his ask.”

Trump on Truth Social About Tim Cook

The Trump-Cook Relationship: Closer Than It Appeared

The revelation adds new context to a relationship that has quietly shaped Apple’s posture in Washington in recent years. Cook personally donated $1 million to Trump’s second inauguration fund and, in August 2025, visited the White House to present Trump with a custom 24-karat-gold Apple plaque, timed to coincide with Apple’s announcement of $100 billion in planned U.S. investment.

Cook also appeared at a White House screening of the Melania Trump documentary in January and, earlier this year, called Trump directly to discuss the deaths of two Minneapolis residents following an ICE operation, writing to Apple staff afterward that he “appreciated [Trump’s] openness to engaging on issues that matter to us all.”

Apple Tariff Tensions Lurk in the Background

The warmth between the two men has not insulated Apple entirely from political risk. In May 2025, Trump threatened Apple with tariffs of “at least 25%” on iPhones manufactured outside the United States. While that specific measure didn’t materialise, Apple absorbed hundreds of millions in costs tied to the administration’s broader tariff regime. Following a Supreme Court ruling in February 2026 that Trump lacked the authority to impose the levies, the administration is now in the process of refunding over $166 billion in collected tariffs.

Tim Cook’s Legacy and What Comes Next

Tim Cook is set to step down as CEO on September 1, 2026, transitioning to the role of executive chairman on Apple’s board of directors.  John Ternus, currently Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, will take over as CEO, a transition described by the company as the result of “a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process” approved unanimously by the board.

Trump, ever the last word, offered his own historical footnote: “If Steve [Jobs] was not taken from Planet Earth so young… the company would have done well, but nowhere near as well as it has under Tim.”

Apple has not commented on Trump’s account of events.