Amazon, AMZN, is halting some of its diversity, equity and inclusion programs
Amazon.com is phasing out its diversity programs in anticipation of Republican Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, reflecting growing conservative opposition to such initiatives.
In recent years, major U.S. corporations have scaled back diversity efforts they had previously championed, particularly following the 2020 protests sparked by the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans.
In a December memo to employees, Amazon announced it was "winding down outdated programs and materials" tied to representation and inclusion, with plans to complete the process by the end of 2024.
Conservative groups have increasingly criticized these programs, with some threatening legal action against companies. This opposition gained momentum following the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action in university admissions.
This week, Elon Musk and other Trump allies, without evidence, blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs for delays in responding to Los Angeles wildfires. Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, had previously donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee.
Related Developments at Meta
Meta is also dismantling its DEI programs just days before Trump’s inauguration, citing shifting legal and policy frameworks. In an internal memo, Janelle Gale, Meta’s vice president of human resources, stated that recent Supreme Court rulings indicated a changing judicial approach to DEI efforts.
“The term ‘DEI’ has become charged, with some interpreting it as a practice favoring certain groups over others,” Gale wrote. One employee called the memo “upsetting to read.”
Meta is ending DEI programs related to hiring, training, and supplier selection, and has dissolved its dedicated DEI team. These actions come on the heels of other changes at Meta cheered by conservatives, including scrapping its U.S. fact-checking program, elevating Republican Joel Kaplan to chief global affairs officer, and adding Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a close Trump ally, to its board.