Apple CEO Tim Cook wanted to set the record straight about a recent Wall Street Journal story that claims there is tension between the company and departing Chief Design Officer Jony Ive. He calls the report “absurd” and that “conclusions just don’t match with reality.” The story claims that Ive’s leaving was a long time coming with the designer drifting away from the company in recent years, which has resulted in the team being rudderless and without leadership. Cook says in an email to NBC News reporter Dylan Byers that the Apple design team is “phenomenally talented” and “stronger than ever.” He says projects they’re working on “will blow you away.” It’s rare for the Apple CEO to talk about internal shakeups with reporters, but it seems this particular topic hit a nerve.