If you’ve been tapped in to the world of business news in recent months, you’re likely well aware that DEI measures are firmly on the chopping block, thanks to the Trump administration. The DEI framework, which seeks to support diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace, has been an invaluable tool in the national marketplace to ensure that those in marginalized communities are given a fair shot at employment and upward mobility. Much like other social programs, such as affirmative action, DEI has been integral to the success of disabled individuals, underprivileged youths and those who identify as part of the LGBTQ community. Unfortunately, a powerful minority of fringe right-wing lawmakers have taken issue with DEI initiatives and have maligned the entire practice as discriminatory.

Since the newly established White House cabinet has become so dead-set on eliminating DEI measures across the board, legal requirements for fair hiring practices have already been stripped to their bare bones. Trump even went so far as to blame the recent Washington DC plane crash on DEI hiring, though he refused to elaborate on this finger-pointing in any meaningful capacity. Luckily, a few large corporations, including Costco, Apple, Delta Airlines and more have expressed their own individual commitment to upholding DEI standards of their own accord. While this solidarity is welcome, not all major companies have agreed to uphold the same standards. So, let’s take a moment to unpack which massive corporations are shutting down their DEI measures entirely, and investigate exactly what this means for the future of corporate America.

Which Companies Are Dropping DEI?

The list of companies following the White House’s lead by dropping DEI measures is exhaustive, and growing with each passing day. While we can’t guarantee to have caught each and every example, there are several key players in the national workforce that have made their stance on this topic abundantly clear. In the days since Trump has issued an executive order eschewing DEI, the following businesses have formally expressed that they’ll be doing away with the hiring standard immediately.

  • Harley Davidson
  • Ford Motors
  • Boeing Aircrafts
  • Meta
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • X (FKA Twitter)
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement
  • John Deere
  • Brown-Forman Distilleries
  • Molson Coors
  • McDonald’s
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • The Smithsonian Institution
  • And more.

Some of these companies are ending DEI protections entirely, allowing them to reduce the overall diversity in the workplace moving forward. Others are simply stripping back their involvement in celebrations of diversity such as Pride Month, Black History Month and Juneteenth. Likewise, government-owned bodies such as the FBI are mandated to follow Trump’s anti-DEI policy. This means that institutions like the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Education will all be disbanding their respective DEI structures. The outcry surrounding this controversial move has been massive, though it’s mostly fallen on deaf ears as the Trump admin seems to be on an ongoing tirade against anything the president considers to be “woke” in nature.

How Can Consumers Fight Back?

Whether you’re an employee of any of the previously named entities, or just a casual consumer, there are a few things you can do to make your stance on DEI heard. Citizens across the United States have been greatly encouraged to reach out to their local lawmakers in recent weeks, as a means to put pressure on the Trump White House to represent the will of the people. Beyond that, you can always vote your conscience using the power of the almighty dollar, and refuse to do business with any of the aforementioned companies if this is something you feel strongly about. At this point in time, there are no calls for a full-on boycott, though that is becoming a strong possibility as human rights organizations continue to take note of the ongoing attacks that marginalized communities are facing.

Certain CEOs and leaders in the business world have continued to champion DEI as both an effective culture and quality of life framework. Others have pointed out that their DEI standards have actually raised their financial bottom line. Mark Cuban, Tim Cook and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell are among the most vocal proponents for DEI, as they have each made public statements confirming that their respective investments have seen massive upticks with these newly established hiring guidelines in place. The Human Rights Campaign has also chastised the Trump administration for its coordinated attack on diversity, equity and inclusion, arguing that this crackdown is being, “Led by the same actors who have been driving the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative and legal attacks across the country” in a Fall 2024 press release.

The Future Of DEI

For now, things are looking pretty bleak for the future of DEI. Trump’s executive order ending DEI requirements was delivered on the very first day of his presidency, meaning he and his key supporters clearly see it as a significant issue. Luckily, POTUS cannot currently force private companies to drop their hiring standards and protections against the will of their owners or shareholders. This means that the government’s war on DEI only serves to reveal which corporations are supporting DEI because they mean it, and which are simply following trends.

As we venture forth into the second Trump term, we can surely expect many similar culture war issues to pop up. Luckily, the administration has shown that it can be swayed by the public on some fronts, as Trump has already heel-turned on campaign promises including banning TikTok and imposing massive tariffs on Canada. There are many ways to support diversity, equity and inclusion in your workspace and in your personal life- even if billion dollar corporations refuse to follow suit.