I doubt it's political. Apple execs kiss ass to US politicians all the time, even Trump. No, I rather think it's Apple's increasingly anti competitive monopolistic ethically questionable behaviour, a reflection of the ethical vacuum bean counting supply chain manager who now runs Apple, intent of turning it into another Disney, or taking over or merging with Disney. True technical innovation no longer resides at Apple, and hasn't since 2011 when Jobs died. Since then it's been iPhone models to 250, ipad models to 670, and let's not forget the wondrous iwatch for the worshipping faithful, not to mention the occasional thinly slicked up imacs with little or no real change under the bonnet. No problem: the faithful are plenty ready and willing to fork over good money after bad.