Startup Originals Team
On September 4, 2025, President Donald Trump and the First Lady hosted a high-profile White House dinner, convening over 30 of the world’s top tech leaders. Among them were Apple’s Tim Cook, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. In a moment that made headlines, Trump praised Cook with a memorable quip: “You’ve done an incredible job with a little company called Apple.”
The Setting: A Gathering of Tech Titans
Held in the White House’s newly renovated Rose Garden and adjacent areas, this dinner brought together an influential roster of technology leaders. The conversation centered on artificial intelligence, innovation, and major investment commitments in the U.S. including Apple’s significant $600 billion pledge.
That Memorable Line
During the dinner, Trump turned to Cook and joked, “Tim Cook, you’ve done an incredible job with the little company called Apple.” The comment, tongue-in-cheek yet flattering – drew a lot of attention, especially given Apple’s stature as one of the world’s leading companies.
Tim Cook’s Graceful Replies
True to form, Tim Cook responded with warmth and sincerity:
- “Thank you, Mr. President,” he said.
- He expressed gratitude for being invited and for the administration’s support in creating a favorable environment for Apple’s major investments.
- He also praised the First Lady’s focus on education, calling it “the great equaliser.”
A Gratitude Overload-And a Viral Moment
Cook’s articulation of thanks became a talking point in itself. Viewers counted he said “thank you” nearly eight times in under two minutes, prompting amusement, memes, and commentary online. Some saw it as a model of polite diplomacy; others poked fun at it as over-courteous.
The $600 Billion Investment
Midway through the evening, Trump asked Cook how much Apple would invest in the U.S. Cook replied clearly: “$600 billion.” Trump responded, “$600 billion-that’s a lot of jobs,” to which Cook reaffirmed their pride in making the commitment.
Broader Praise from Tech Leaders
Beyond Cook’s moment in the spotlight, tech executives at the dinner broadly lauded Trump’s “pro-business, pro-innovation” agenda. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, and others emphasized how these policies were energizing U.S. technology and investment.
Conclusion
That single line, “You’ve done an incredible job with a little company called Apple”, was both a playful nod and a highlight of the evening. Tim Cook’s gracious and repeated show of gratitude added warmth and humanity to a formal event. Beneath the protocol, the night underscored Apple’s and other tech innovators’ massive commitments to American industry and innovation.
