The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) drastically reduced National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding, cancelling over $100 million in projected grants. This initiative, which utilized ChatGPT to identify projects related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), led to the rejection of numerous proposals. Notably, a $350,000 grant for the High Point Museum’s HVAC system replacement was cancelled after being flagged as “#DEI” by the AI, despite its primary purpose being artifact preservation and energy efficiency. These actions, challenged in court as unconstitutional discrimination, appear to have extended beyond explicit DEI initiatives, even impacting projects deemed “harmless” by NEH officials.
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The article details how two unqualified individuals, Justin Fox and Nate Cavanaugh, terminated hundreds of humanities grants by using ChatGPT with a vague prompt about DEI. Depositions revealed their inability to define DEI and the arbitrary nature of their decisions, which included canceling grants for documentaries on Black civil rights and the Holocaust. Following public scrutiny and the release of their deposition videos, the government attempted to have them removed from the internet, only to trigger the Streisand Effect and draw further attention to the matter.
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During a lengthy deposition, former investment banker Justin Fox, now associated with DOGE, struggled to define DEI. He admitted to using ChatGPT to scan government contracts for specific demographic terms, excluding others. Fox also made and then retracted a claim that a grant he helped cut was “not for the benefit of humankind.” These exchanges offer a glimpse into the operational methods of DOGE, an organization linked to significant damage and negative consequences despite failing to reduce the government deficit.
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Following a lawsuit filed against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), revelations have emerged regarding the termination of over 1,400 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grants. DOGE staffers, lacking academic expertise in the humanities, employed ChatGPT to identify grants that could be retroactively canceled based on perceived “DEI” initiatives, ultimately cutting over $100 million in funding and dismissing 65% of NEH staff. This process, which targeted terms such as “BIPOC” and “LGBTQ,” allegedly violated the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection clause. Grants for diverse projects, including a documentary on Jewish women’s slave labor and efforts to preserve Native American languages, were among those eliminated, with even routine maintenance grants being rescinded.
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In response to pressure from the Pentagon, Scouting America will implement significant policy changes, including a requirement for members to use their “biological sex at birth and not gender identity” for registration and in shared living spaces. These alterations, which also include discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge and introducing a Military Service badge, aim to address concerns regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the organization. The Pentagon has stated it will conduct a thorough review of these changes in six months and may cease its support if Scouting America fails to comply, emphasizing the need for the organization to align with its values. Scouting America, while noting its ongoing service to girls and its new name, asserts these adjustments reinforce its historical partnership with the military.
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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating Nike for alleged discrimination against white employees through its diversity policies. This investigation, initiated by an EEOC commissioner’s charge, stems from Nike’s publicly stated diversity goals and programs. Nike has stated it is cooperating with the EEOC but finds the subpoena an unusual escalation, asserting its practices comply with all applicable laws. The agency, under Chair Andrea Lucas, has been actively targeting diversity and inclusion policies perceived as potentially discriminatory.
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The American Battle Monuments Commission removed two displays from the American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, that recognized Black troops’ contributions during World War II, a decision that has sparked controversy. The removal, which occurred after President Trump’s executive orders ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, has angered Dutch officials and others. One panel detailed the story of a Black soldier buried at the cemetery, while the other described the racial segregation policy in the U.S. military during the war. Emails obtained through a U.S. Freedom of Information Act request revealed that Trump’s DEI policies directly prompted the commission to remove the panels.
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Elon Musk criticized New York City’s mayor-elect’s appointment of Lillian Bonsignore as the new FDNY commissioner, despite her 31-year tenure and leadership during the pandemic, claiming she was unqualified due to diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Musk, who has previously voiced strong opposition to DEI, previously endorsed Mamdani’s opponent, and spread misinformation about the election. This controversy comes despite Musk’s past actions, during his time in the federal government, where his team threatened funding for 9/11 firefighter cancer research. Despite Musk’s concerns, Mamdani has expressed support for Bonsignore, highlighting her experience and commitment to the firefighters.
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At a recent conference, Vice President J.D. Vance condemned diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, claiming they discriminate against white men. He stated these policies are designed to harm white men. Vance’s arguments echo those of Jacob Savage, who believes DEI unfairly disadvantages white male millennials. However, the author argues that the true problem lies in capitalism, which inherently creates winners and losers, exacerbating existing inequalities. Ultimately, Vance’s anti-DEI stance is presented as a smokescreen, designed to exploit people’s frustrations with the system for political gain.
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The Interior Department has mandated that national parks review and remove gift shop items related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to maintain “neutral spaces” for all visitors. This directive aligns with broader efforts following executive actions by President Donald Trump targeting DEI programs across the federal government. Parks have until December 19 to review all retail items, a process confirmed by the Interior Department to ensure items inconsistent with the order are removed. The initiative has drawn criticism from groups like the National Parks Conservation Association, who view it as an attempt to “sanitize, soften or erase history.”
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John Q. Hosedrinker