Trump administration backs Apple in Supreme Court case

The Trump administration has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court backing Apple Inc.'s legal stance in its ongoing dispute with Epic Games. The Department of Justice requested that the high court limit the legal grounds for holding entities in civil contempt. Although the DOJ formally stated that its brief supported neither party, the requested legal standard directly favors Apple's appeal against a lower court ruling. The conflict originates from a 2020 antitrust lawsuit by Epic Games concerning Apple's App Store payment policies. Following an injunction requiring changes to its platform rules, Apple imposed a 27% commission on certain external purchases. A California federal court ruled in April 2025 that this fee violated the spirit of the original injunction and held Apple in civil contempt. Apple and the DOJ argue that contempt findings should not apply to actions not explicitly barred by court orders. A favorable Supreme Court decision would protect Apple's lucrative App Store revenue framework and provide greater operational flexibility against future regulatory challenges.