Skip to Content

Steve Jobs' 1991 FBI File Released, Reveals Consideration for Presidential Appointment

As noted by Gawker, the FBI has just released a 1991 background check on Steve Jobs. The 191-page document was undertaken as Jobs was being considered for a presidential appointment to the President's Export Council by George H. W. Bush. The file was released following a Freedom of Information Act request filed through the open government site MuckRock.

steve jobs fbi memo
Beyond basic biographical information, the report makes reference to comments from a number of Jobs' acquaintances who were interviewed to help build a picture of his background. Gawker notes that the report contains an unusually high number of "derogatory" comments, with some questioning his honesty and making reference to his ability to "twist the truth and distort reality in order to achieve his goals".

More details will undoubtedly come to light as readers are able to make their way through the lengthy document, and while certain aspects of the report have been censored out, it may still reveal an interestingly candid glimpse into how Jobs was viewed by his acquaintances and investigators seeking an impartial view of his suitably to serve on a presidential commission.

Popular Stories

Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Apple Accidentally Leaks 'MacBook Neo'

Tuesday March 3, 2026 7:00 am PST by
Apple appears to have prematurely revealed the name of its rumored lower-cost MacBook model, which is expected to be announced this Wednesday. A regulatory document for a "MacBook Neo" (Model A3404) has appeared on Apple's website. Unfortunately, there are no further details or images available yet. While the PDF file does not contain the "MacBook Neo" name, it briefly appeared in a link...
imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils Two New Products

Monday March 2, 2026 7:49 am PST by
Apple today introduced two new devices, including the iPhone 17e and an updated iPad Air. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone 16e, but it gains Apple's A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic accessories, Apple's second-generation C1X modem for faster 5G, and a doubled 256GB of base storage. In the U.S., the iPhone 17e starts at $599, just like the ...
Apple iPhone 17e feature

Apple Announces iPhone 17e With A19 Chip, MagSafe, and More

Monday March 2, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today announced the iPhone 17e, featuring the A19 chip, MagSafe connectivity, faster charging, and more. The iPhone 17e contains the A19 chip introduced in iPhone 17. It features a 6-core GPU and a 4-core GPU. Apple pointed out that this makes it up to 2x faster than the iPhone 11. The new 16-core Neural Engine is optimized for large generative models. The iPhone 17e also contains...

Top Rated Comments

furi0usbee Avatar
184 months ago
Save it for SteveRumors. How does this even fit?

Oh, I don't know... the guy was co-founder of Apple, creator of Mac. And this is MacRumor's after all. Since when has this site become a hard-news site? Since never. Every story someone has to ask why it was posted. So now for every one of those posts, I'll post explaining why I think it does fit.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
184 months ago
1984 Lawsuit

Yes, he was being sued for paternity of Lisa. Ya know, when he was a real dick making millions while his child was living on welfare.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GenesisST Avatar
184 months ago
Save it for SteveRumors. How does this even fit?

I'd take that any day over PatentRumors.com! :D
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
184 months ago

Gawker notes that the report contains an unusually high number of "derogatory" comments, with some questioning his honesty and making reference to his ability to "twist the truth and distort reality in order to achieve his goals".

Sounds like somebody perfectly suited to government work.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Renzatic Avatar
184 months ago
And yet he changed the world of consumer tech, several times over, and arguably, some of the world at large. Genius? Certainly. A bit of madness? Maybe. But from this man of curious contradictions and singular vision, came Macs, OS X, iPods, iPhones, iPads . . . and look where we are today. It's this man's vision that's come alive and driving the industry.

See people? This is what happens when you build a company around a cult of personality.

Things get weird.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Renzatic Avatar
184 months ago
Sometimes truth really *is* stranger than fiction.

Had Steve Jobs not *done* what he had done, there would be no "cult." All of it is product-driven. He can have the most enrapturing personality you can think of, but if he can't deliver the goods, it's all for nothing.

There's a fine line between respecting a company for its achievements, and unwavering, abject hero worship.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)