Tim Cook’s relationship with Twitter owner and billionaire Elon Musk has long been controversial, with Musk criticizing Apple for everything from the App Store to even criticizing Cook himself.
But in a new interview With GQCook talked about the duo’s relationship and explained why he’s dating the Tesla owner.
“I’m very much in tune with people, whether they agree with you or not,” Cook told the publication. “In fact, I think it’s even more important to interact when there’s disagreement.”
Cook says he’s used to meeting people who don’t share his point of view.
“I’m used to being in (a room) with someone whose views are different from mine.” Cooke said about his interactions with Musk during this week’s interview with GQ. “It’s not a unique thing for me.”
On the subject: Twitter’s ‘war’ with Apple ends after Elon Musk meets Tim Cook
When it comes to Musk, the couple’s viewpoints are quite different at times. Last November, Musk attacked Apple on Twitter, saying the tech giant “threatened” to remove Twitter from the App Store, but did not give a reason.
Apple also threatened to remove Twitter from its App Store, but didn’t tell us why.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022
Musk then posted another tweet asking if Apple was against “free speech in America”, claiming that Apple had stopped most of its advertising on the platform.
Apple has basically stopped advertising on Twitter. Does America hate free speech?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022
Days after the Twitter fiasco, Musk went on a tour of Apple headquarters in San Francisco with Cook, explaining to Twitter followers that he and Cook had buried the hatchet and that Twitter should stay in the App Store.
Good conversation. Among other things, we have resolved a misunderstanding about the possible removal of Twitter from the App Store. Tim made it clear that Apple never thought about it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 30, 2022
“(My) philosophy is engagement,” Cook said. GQ.
In 2021, there were even rumors that Musk was trying to replace Cook as Apple CEO, which Musk strongly denied on Twitter at the time.
Cook and I never spoke or wrote to each other.
There was a moment when I asked to meet with Cook to talk about buying an Apple Tesla. No terms of purchase were offered.
He refused to date. Tesla cost about 6% of today’s value.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 30, 2021
Apple got up just over 6.8% for the year as of Wednesday afternoon.