Meta abandons diversity and inclusion agenda in preparation for second Trump administration

MENLO PARK, CA. – Connecting companies such as John Deere and WalmartFacebook and Instagram parent company Meta Platforms Inc. is getting rid of its diversity, equity and inclusion program, which covers hiring, training and picking suppliers, a company spokesman confirmed Friday.

The move that came first reported by Axioscomes on the heels of the social media giant’s decision end its third-party fact-checking program and scale down hate speech and abuse policies.

Citing an internal memo sent to employees, Axios said the Menlo Park, California-based tech giant said the U.S. Supreme Court “recently made decisions that signal a shift in the courts’ approach to DEI. (…) The term “DEI” has also become stigmatized, in part because it is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential treatment of some groups over others.”

In practice, this means Meta will no longer have a team focused on diversity and inclusion, with the company saying it will instead “focus on using fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for everyone, regardless of background.”

The company will also end its “diversified approach” to hiring, which means a diverse pool of candidates was considered for each open position.

Other companies that have recently ended DEI programs include McDonald’s, automaker Ford, Walmart and farm equipment maker John Deere.