Major Corporations Scale Back DEI Programs Amid Shifting Cultural and Political Pressures

Companies like Amazon, Meta, and McDonald’s are reframing diversity efforts as critics question their commitment to systemic change.

Amazon, Meta, McDonald’s, and Publicis Groupe have recently scaled back or restructured their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, citing evolving business priorities and external pressures.
The rollback of DEI programs comes as corporate America faces growing conservative backlash against 'woke' policies and legal challenges, including the Supreme Court's 2023 decision on affirmative action.
Critics argue that these changes reflect a retreat from meaningful commitments to systemic equity, while companies claim they are embedding inclusion into everyday operations rather than relying on standalone initiatives.
Apple and Costco stand out as notable exceptions, with both companies resisting shareholder proposals to dismantle their DEI policies and emphasizing the long-term business value of diversity.
Marketing experts highlight that poorly executed DEI strategies, overpromising results, and performative campaigns have contributed to skepticism and the current decline in corporate DEI efforts.