President Trump’s administration issued a memo mandating the paid leave and potential termination of all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) staff. This follows executive orders dismantling federal DEI programs and reversing affirmative action in federal contracting, effectively using the same tools previously employed to promote DEI to now eliminate it. Agencies are required to remove all DEI-related webpages and training materials, compile a list of DEI staff, and develop plans for their removal. This aggressive campaign aims to upend DEI efforts nationwide, extending to investigations of private companies’ DEI initiatives.
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Mark Zuckerberg assured Trump administration officials, including Jason Miller, of his non-interference in their agenda, attributing Meta’s previous DEI initiatives to Sheryl Sandberg. Subsequently, Zuckerberg announced the elimination of these policies following a private meeting with Miller. This shift, coupled with Meta’s layoffs, suggests a coordinated effort with a more powerful and less-constrained Trump team than in his previous presidency. The changes signal a significant realignment of Meta’s internal priorities.
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Following the termination of its fact-checking program, Meta, under CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has eliminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Zuckerberg, citing a perceived lack of “masculine energy” in corporate culture, praised this energy as beneficial and justified the move as a necessary correction to an overcorrection toward gender neutrality. These actions coincide with a broader trend of corporations aligning with the rightward political shift under the Trump administration, including changes to content moderation policies that permit previously prohibited hateful speech. This shift has drawn criticism from digital rights groups concerned about the implications for freedom of expression.
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Costco’s refusal to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite shareholder demands and pressure from pro-Trump groups, has sparked a threatened boycott. The company’s board defended its DEI program as aligning with its code of ethics, rejecting claims of “illegal discrimination.” This decision follows a broader conservative push, exemplified by Project 2025, to eliminate DEI programs across both the public and private sectors. Supporters of the incoming Trump administration are actively voicing their opposition and encouraging a consumer boycott of Costco.
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Elon Musk, on X, urged followers to boycott Wikipedia donations until the platform addresses what he terms an imbalance in editing authority, citing a budget allocation of 29 percent to “equity” and “safety & inclusion.” This followed a post highlighting Wikipedia’s 2023-2024 annual report, which detailed significant spending on DEI initiatives. Wikipedia’s spokesperson countered that these funds support broader accessibility and safety for editors and users, emphasizing the platform’s commitment to free expression and inclusivity. The incident sparked debate on Wikipedia’s neutrality, with some echoing Musk’s concerns and others dismissing them as anecdotal.
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Walmart, facing right-wing pressure, is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This includes ending racial equity training, reviewing supplier diversity programs, and reevaluating funding for Pride events and LGBTQ+ products. The company’s decision follows a broader trend of corporations curtailing DEI efforts amid legal challenges and political pressure. Walmart’s actions, while claiming a desire to foster belonging, signal a potential shift in corporate culture and may impact employee retention.
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John Q. Hosedrinker