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Meta, Amazon scale back DEI efforts amid political and legal shifts

An aerial view of Meta office in California. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]

Meta Platforms and Amazon have announced plans to scale back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, citing evolving political and legal environments as Donald Trump prepares for a potential return to the US presidency.

Meta shared in an internal memo that it will end DEI programmes related to hiring, training, and supplier selection, while Amazon aims to phase out its representation and inclusion efforts by late 2024.

These decisions follow increasing conservative backlash against DEI initiatives, which critics claim encourage preferential treatment. The trend gained traction after a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that eliminated affirmative action in university admissions. Meta Vice President Janelle Gale acknowledged the legal and cultural shifts, noting that the term “DEI” has become divisive, with courts signaling changes in their stance on such programs.

Meta has also made notable leadership adjustments to align with conservative interests. Republican Joel Kaplan has been promoted to chief global affairs officer, and UFC CEO Dana White, a Trump ally, has joined its board.

Additionally, Meta recently pledged $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, reflecting a softer approach toward the former president. These moves signify a pivot from the company’s prior emphasis on inclusivity, which gained prominence after the 2020 racial injustice protests.

As political and cultural pressures increase, the retreat of corporate America from DEI programs highlights a broader shift in how businesses navigate diversity, balancing public sentiment, legal rulings, and political realities.

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