Apple is reportedly withholding support for next month’s Republican presidential convention over comments made by Donald Trump about women, immigrants and minorities.
The iPhone maker has told Republican leaders that it will not provide funding or other support for GOP event, as it has done in the past, according to Politico. Citing two sources familiar with the tech giant’s plans, Politico reports that Apple decided against donating technology or cash to the Cleveland event.
Apple would be the second tech heavyweight to refuse aid to the convention – HP, which was a major donor to the 2012 GOP convention, recently confirmed that it will not be contributing to the event.
Related: Trump jumps into iPhone security row, calls for boycott of Apple products
While Trump’s comments on issues such as undocumented migrants have proved highly controversial, he has also been outspoken on the topic of technology. Earlier this year he jumped into the iPhone security row between Apple and the FBI, calling for a boycott of the company’s products over its encryption stance. Social media giants Facebook and Twitter backed Apple in its dispute with the FBI over unlocking the San Bernardino shooter’s phone, as did Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Last year Trump also surprised his rivals during a debate when he suggested clamping down on Internet connectivity as a way to limit ISIS’ ability to recruit and raise funds online.
Apple declined to provide comment for this story when contacted by FoxNews.com. The Trump campaign has not yet responded to a request for comment on this story.
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“We are working with a variety of major tech partners who are focused on being part of the American political process,” said a spokeswoman for the Republican National Convention, in a statement emailed to FoxNews.com.
“While there have been many reports of who may not be supporting this year’s Convention, what has been overlooked is the fact that we have more than 100 donors who are supporting the Host Committee,” added a spokeswoman for the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee, in an email to FoxNews.com
The Committee has already raised $57.5 million of the convention’s $64 million budget. “That’s 90% of the funding,” said the spokeswoman. “The pace at which we’ve raised the funds exceeds the pace of both Tampa in 2012 and St. Paul in 2008.”
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Politico reports that Apple previously has backed both the Republican and Democratic conventions. Citing campaign finance records, Politico reports that the iPhone maker provided about $140,000 each in MacBooks and other technology to both parties’ 2008 events. The Cupertino, Calif.-based firm did not write checks for either party in 2012, but did lend products for both conventions, according to Politico.
Facebook, Google and Microsoft have all said they will provide some support to the GOP convention, according to Politico.
The 2016 Republican National Convention takes place in the Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland from July 18 to 21.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
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