Meta and Amazon have announced plans to curtail their diversity initiatives, a decision critics describe as both shortsighted and reflective of a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and benefits of inclusivity.

Their rollbacks follow rising conservative backlash that has prompted various American corporations to revisit and often reduce programs championing equitable hiring and broader cultural sensitivity.

Shortly before unveiling its own retreat from diversity efforts which include hiring, supplier relationships, and training Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) also disbanded a fact-checking initiative condemned by President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans. Meta’s memo to staff cited a “shifting legal and policy landscape,” yet diversity advocates argue that this explanation betrays a shallow view of “DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and ignores the practical, proven benefits of genuine inclusivity on employee retention, innovation, and overall corporate reputation.

Walmart and McDonald’s are among the other companies taking steps to wind down programs designed to diversify their workforces in the wake of Donald Trump’s re-election campaign. In a statement confirmed by the BBC, Meta justified its pivot by pointing to a Supreme Court ruling regarding race in college admissions and to the intensifying political climate around the term “DEI.” Instead of improving or refining such measures, Meta declared it would abandon its established approach of prioritizing candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. Critics say this choice fails to acknowledge the long-term gains of fostering real inclusion and reflects a desire to sidestep political controversy rather than address it.

Amazon echoed Meta’s move in a December memo to staff, announcing plans to retire “outdated programs and materials” related to representation and inclusion by the end of 2024. Candi Castleberry, Amazon’s Vice President of inclusive experiences and technology, said the company seeks to focus on “programs with proven outcomes,” though experts argue that dismantling existing DEI structures altogether squanders both expertise and forward momentum.

Meanwhile, financial giants JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock recently exited climate-focused groups, illustrating the broader trend of major corporations scaling back commitments perceived as “woke.” The escalation of political opposition—along with boycotts targeting brands like Bud Light and Target has spooked some boardrooms, even though numerous studies show that fully integrated inclusivity efforts produce stronger, more adaptive companies.

Many of the current DEI initiatives emerged after the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, catalyzed by the murder of George Floyd. Although these efforts gained significant traction, recent legal decisions have emboldened critics who see them as discriminatory. The Supreme Court in 2023 eliminated the precedent for private universities to consider race in admissions, and an appellate court struck down a Nasdaq rule compelling companies to diversify their boards or publicly justify not doing so.

In this environment, Meta also plans to reduce partnerships with “diverse” suppliers and discontinue “equity and inclusion” training, pivoting to more generic “bias mitigation.” By catering to political pressures, observers say the company exposes a limited grasp of what true diversity entails: ongoing cultural alignment, equitable opportunity, and measurable, data-driven accountability.

Meta declined to comment on its memo, which drew immediate rebukes from diversity advocates. Conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has led campaigns to undo DEI policies at several major companies, claimed satisfaction with the move. But LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign described the rollback as shirking corporate responsibility. “Those who abandon these commitments are failing their employees, consumers, and shareholders,” said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, pointing out that inclusive environments help to attract and retain top talent, thereby spurring growth.

Meta’s move is especially notable given that it comes just days after abandoning a fact-checking program censured by Trump and other conservatives, while also elevating conservative voices to leadership positions. In a nearly three-hour interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed regret over assuming the role of “truth” arbiter following the 2016 election, revealing that pressure from the Biden administration to remove certain types of information such as posts about vaccine side effects contributed to a broader political backlash.

Although Zuckerberg criticized governmental interference in tech policy, insisting that U.S. authorities should defend rather than “attack” domestic companies, critics say Meta’s latest course correction simply trades one form of capitulation for another. By undermining diversity programs that took years to build, Meta and Amazon may well sacrifice the innovation and brand loyalty that come from prioritizing genuine inclusion—losses that could outweigh any short-term easing of political heat.