In a significant shift within corporate America, Amazon and Meta have announced rollbacks of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes, signaling a broader trend as conservative voices grow increasingly critical of such initiatives.
Amazon is scaling back its DEI efforts ahead of a potential return to power by former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to reports. The e-commerce giant informed employees via a memo on Friday that it plans to phase out what it termed “outdated programmes and materials” related to diversity and inclusion by the end of 2024. This move comes in response to rising conservative criticism, bolstered by the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in university admissions.
The rollback by Amazon aligns with recent actions taken by Meta, formerly known as Facebook. According to The New York Times, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has instructed facilities managers at the company’s Silicon Valley, Texas, and New York offices to remove tampons and sanitary pads from men’s bathrooms—a provision previously made for non-binary and transgender employees. Additionally, Meta has disbanded its dedicated DEI team and ended its U.S. fact-checking programme.
Janelle Gale, Meta’s vice president of human resources, acknowledged in an internal memo that the legal and policy landscape surrounding DEI efforts in the U.S. is shifting. She cited recent Supreme Court decisions as a harbinger of how courts will approach DEI initiatives in the future. The memo highlighted that Meta will cease hiring, training, and supplier selection practices specifically aimed at promoting diversity.
The cuts come after several major companies initially pledged to embrace more inclusive policies following widespread protests in 2020 over the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans. However, with conservatives threatening legal action and mounting criticism, many businesses are now retreating from such commitments.
Notably, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee, a fact that underscores the company’s historical ties to political power. Meanwhile, Elon Musk and other prominent Trump allies have recently blamed DEI programmes for slowing emergency responses to natural disasters, including the wildfires in Los Angeles.
In another strategic shift, Meta has appointed Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican, as its chief global affairs officer and added UFC CEO Dana White, a close Trump ally, to its board.
The backlash against DEI initiatives is not limited to corporate boardrooms. State legislatures and college campuses across the U.S. have seen a growing movement against these programmes, with critics arguing that they promote division rather than unity.
What Are DEI Programmes?
DEI initiatives aim to foster a more inclusive and fair society by focusing on three key areas:
Diversity: Recognizing and valuing the unique differences individuals bring, including race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and other social identities.
Equity: Ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunities for everyone.
Inclusion: Creating environments where all voices are respected and individuals from diverse backgrounds feel empowered to share their ideas and perspectives.
While DEI efforts were once hailed as essential to creating equitable workplaces, they are now at the center of a cultural and political debate in the United States. As companies like Amazon and Meta scale back these programmes, the future of corporate diversity initiatives remains uncertain amid shifting legal and political landscapes.
