McDonald's is discontinuing many of its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The move is part of a larger trend of companies walking back on DEI commitments made during the 2020 Black Lives Matter unrest and its aftermath. McDonald's cited a “changing legal landscape” and pointed to last year's Supreme Court decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions.
Specifically, the company will eliminate diversity quotas at the executive level and end a program that pushes suppliers to develop DEI training. McDonald's also said it would end “external surveys,” likely referring to a program that measures the percentage of LGBT employees in companies.
Anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck acknowledged the decision and said in a post
“As our first company change of 2025, I just want to say: HAPPY NEW YEAR!” he said.
“We have now changed policies at companies worth well over $2.3 trillion, providing many millions of employees with a better work environment as a result,” he added.
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Other companies he says he has “turned around” include Toyota, Walmart, John Deere and Nissan.
In addition to the Supreme Court ruling, companies have eliminated many of their DEI policies due to a larger cultural and political backlash that culminated in President-elect Donald Trump's election victory in November. He has repeatedly criticized DEI practices and promised to take action against them after taking office.