DEI has become a conservative buzzword to target anything that doesn’t appeal to straight, white, male ideals. The Trump administration has gone after every federal agency, academic institution, and corporate entity to eradicate any semblance of DEI.

 Whether through affirmative action, hiring laws, or ensuring equal representation of all races and genders, Trump has made DEI the hill to die on. Everything is DEI, from Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime show to plane crashes. However, diversity has not been effectively implemented recently, nor applied in the appropriate context.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are designed to create a more balanced and fair society, particularly in the wake of the civil rights movement, by addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring equal opportunities for all. But now, conservatives have equated DEI policies with lower standards, a false narrative that President Trump has only fueled. 

 In 2020, after George Floyd was killed, companies came out in droves to express their reverence for Black lives. It was a far departure from just a few years prior, when companies didn’t speak much on social issues. Now, companies hire DEI officers to ensure they adhere to diversity standards. Companies like Target and Walmart included products for diverse clientele both on and off the shelf. There was even a call to purchase from only Black-owned businesses. Just a few years later, in 2022, most of those hired to work in the peak DEI era ended up fired. Programs were dismantled, and many of those same companies walked back from their previous promises. Just recently, Ben and Jerry’s CEO was ousted by its parent company, Unilever, for supporting activist causes, despite that being a pillar of the Ben and Jerry’s company ethos as a result of its founders.

 Companies bending the knee to Trump is only proof that they never really cared about diversity in the first place. They are beholden to their corporate interests, and those interests follow where the money takes them. Consumers value diversity and are more willing to spend their money at companies that align with their interests. But now that Trump has threatened anyone who doesn’t follow his rules around DEI, companies are getting ahead of any backlash by getting rid of DEI policies or altering language to avoid inclusivity. But there are other companies, like TJ Maxx and Costco, that are reaffirming their commitment to DEI and diverse programs.

 Corporate Companies are private. They aren’t being forced to follow Trump’s executive orders as they apply to federal agencies and contracts. They are retracting their 2020 statements because they want to. Supporting diversity wasn’t within the fabric of their company’s belief; it was a trend that they followed to get in the good graces of consumers. Consumers should support companies that align with their personal beliefs and are committed to diversity and keeping their promises.