Apple shareholders voted on Tuesday to keep the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, rejecting a proposal from the conservative think tank National Center for Public Policy Research.

The vote at Apple’s annual meeting was highly anticipated, especially as many major companies have rolled back diversity programs following executive orders from former President Donald Trump requiring federal agencies to eliminate DEI initiatives.

The group argued that DEI programs could be discriminatory and harm shareholder value, but the majority sided with Apple’s board, which defended diversity as a business asset.

“Our strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate and create something magical for our users,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said.

A growing conservative backlash has led major U.S. companies, including Meta and Alphabet, to scale back their DEI initiatives, particularly as Donald Trump returns to the presidency.

Trump has been outspoken against corporate diversity programs, suggesting that the U.S. Department of Justice could investigate whether they violate the law.

Apple shareholders have previously voted against proposals requiring greater transparency on racial and gender pay gaps.

On Tuesday, CEO Tim Cook emphasized that Apple’s diversity programs have never included quotas or targets.

“As the legal landscape around these issues evolves, we may need to make some changes to comply, but our North Star of dignity and respect for everyone and our work to that end will never waver,” Cook said.