Cook made the right decision. Imagine dealing with Musk as a manager of one of your divisions. It would have been a nightmare for Cook. There's not enough money that would have made that palatable.
I also read somewhere - Cook wanted to him walkaway from Tesla as one of the conditions of the deal but Musk refused that. So, conversations did not start
Tesla should have made the earpods. Would’ve made a lot of money. Sad that talent is being wasted.