Meta Platforms and Amazon.com are winding down their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as Donald Trump prepares to return to the US presidency. This move comes amidst increasing conservative opposition to such initiatives.
In an internal memo dated January 10, Meta announced the end of its DEI programs, including those for hiring, training, and supplier selection. This decision follows a series of actions that have been welcomed by conservatives, such as scrapping its US fact-checking program and appointing prominent Republican Joel Kaplan as its chief global affairs officer. Meta also elected Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close friend of Trump, to its board.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has been working to mend relations with Trump, who has criticized the company’s political content policies and threatened its CEO with imprisonment. In December, Meta contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, joining other major companies in making donations.
Amazon, in a December memo to employees, stated that it is “winding down outdated programs and materials” related to representation and inclusion, with plans to complete the process by the end of 2024. Conservative groups have denounced DEI programs and threatened to sue companies over them, emboldened by a 2023 US Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in university admissions decisions.
Meta’s Vice-President of Human Resources, Janelle Gale, cited recent Supreme Court decisions as signaling a shift in how US courts will approach DEI programs going forward. Gale noted that the term “DEI” has become charged, as some perceive it as suggesting preferential treatment of certain groups over others. As a result, Meta will no longer have a dedicated DEI team, and Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will transition to a new role focused on accessibility and engagement.
The legal and policy landscape surrounding DEI efforts in the United States is changing, and companies like Meta and Amazon are adjusting their strategies in response to these shifts.