Donald Trump is pressuring Apple to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs after the company rejected a shareholder proposal to cut them. His demand reflects a growing trend: big corporations are quietly rolling back DEI efforts under political and legal pressure.
Apple Rejects DEI Rollback, Trump Reacts
A conservative-backed proposal urged Apple to scale back DEI, arguing it undermines merit-based hiring. Apple’s board dismissed it. Trump, responding on Truth Social, called on Apple to follow companies like Tesla, JPMorgan, and McDonald’s, which have recently cut or restructured DEI initiatives.
His stance aligns with a broader conservative push against DEI, fueled by the Supreme Court’s decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions.
Corporate America’s DEI Pullback
Several major corporations have made quiet adjustments to diversity programs in response to legal threats and investor pressure:
- JPMorgan Chase reduced DEI-focused hiring goals.
- Tesla scrapped its DEI leadership role, echoing Elon Musk’s public criticism of diversity programs.
- McDonald’s scaled back diversity hiring targets after investor concerns.
Why DEI Is Under Fire
- Legal Risks – The Supreme Court ruling has spurred lawsuits challenging corporate DEI policies.
- Investor Pressure – Conservative shareholders are pushing boards to abandon diversity-focused hiring and promotion practices.
- Reputation and Backlash – Companies fear public and legal scrutiny, leading many to quietly rework DEI efforts without announcing major shifts.
Apple Holds the Line—For Now
Apple insists diversity strengthens its workforce and has shown no signs of backing down. But with corporate America under increasing scrutiny, and the 2024 election ramping up political pressure, the fight over DEI is far from over.
