The 2024 election was widely viewed as a referendum on diversity, equity and inclusion and, once in office, President Donald Trump wasted no time in dismantling programs in the federal government and pressuring the private sector to follow suit.
With DEI programs under attack from the administration, many companies scaled back or eliminated them. Others had already rolled back diversity commitments after facing anti-DEI campaigns from activists.
Lean In and McKinsey & Co.'s Women in the Workplace study found that 67% of companies said they place a high priority on diversity – and more than 84% said the same about inclusion. In 2021, 90% of companies said they placed a high priority on diversity and inclusion.
Gravity Research, which advises companies on social, political and reputational risks, said 40 companies made post-inauguration DEI changes. Some 85% attributed the shift to the political and legal climate and 28% to the Trump administration.
Government scrutiny has only intensified in recent months as the Trump administration pressures employers to overhaul hiring practices to align with the president’s political agenda.
