Several major U.S. companies have quietly altered their stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as revealed by an NPR analysis of their recent annual reports. At least a dozen prominent companies, including Disney, Google, GM, GE, Pepsi, Intel, PayPal, and others, have either removed or softened references to DEI in their latest disclosures to investors. This shift marks a stark departure from their previous commitments to fostering diverse and inclusive cultures.

The timing of these changes coincides with President Trump’s executive orders to end DEI in the federal government and for its contractors, prompting additional scrutiny and pressure on private companies. Some firms, such as Google, have not only revised their DEI language but have also discontinued specific diversity hiring targets and re-evaluated their DEI efforts.

Companies like General Motors, Disney, and Pepsi have notably eliminated or downplayed mentions of diversity in their recent reports, signaling a significant departure from their prior public commitments to DEI. The shift in corporate rhetoric is attributed to the evolving political landscape and increased scrutiny from conservative critics who view DEI programs as discriminatory.

While some companies have chosen to quietly distance themselves from DEI initiatives, others like Costco have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. The evolving landscape around DEI, fueled by legal decisions and political shifts, has created a challenging environment for companies to navigate their public stance on diversity and inclusion efforts.