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.

Top Rated Comments

furi0usbee Avatar
159 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)
sammaffei Avatar
159 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
159 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)
.:R2theT Avatar
159 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
159 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
159 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)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro FineWoven

Apple Reportedly Stops Production of FineWoven Accessories

Sunday April 21, 2024 6:03 am PDT by
Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories, according to the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kosutami explained that Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories due to its poor durability. The company may move to another non-leather material for its premium accessories in the future. Kosutami has revealed...
Provenance Emulator

PlayStation and SEGA Emulator for iPhone and Apple TV Coming to App Store [Updated]

Friday April 19, 2024 8:29 am PDT by
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

iOS 17.5 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday April 21, 2024 3:00 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 17.5 update for the iPhone includes only a few new user-facing features, but hidden code changes reveal some additional possibilities. Below, we have recapped everything new in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 beta so far. Web Distribution Starting with the second beta of iOS 17.5, eligible developers are able to distribute their iOS apps to iPhone users located in the EU...
apple vision pro orange

Apple Vision Pro Customer Interest Dying Down at Some Retail Stores

Monday April 22, 2024 2:12 am PDT by
Apple Vision Pro, Apple's $3,500 spatial computing device, appears to be following a pattern familiar to the AR/VR headset industry – initial enthusiasm giving way to a significant dip in sustained interest and usage. Since its debut in the U.S. in February 2024, excitement for the Apple Vision Pro has noticeably cooled, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On...
top stories 20apr2024

Top Stories: Nintendo Emulators on App Store, Two New iOS 17 Features, and More

Saturday April 20, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
It was a big week for retro gaming fans, as iPhone users are starting to reap the rewards of Apple's recent change to allow retro game emulators on the App Store. This week also saw a new iOS 17.5 beta that will support web-based app distribution in the EU, the debut of the first hotels to allow for direct AirPlay streaming to room TVs, a fresh rumor about the impending iPad Air update, and...