Corporate DEI Programs Dismantled Following SFFA Ruling and Political Pressure

Beginning in late 2023 and accelerating in 2024, major corporations including Ford, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, Caterpillar, Tractor Supply, and Lowe's dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion programs under pressure from conservative activists led by Robby Starbuck and others. Target cut its DEI initiatives. In January 2025, Ford, Amazon, Walmart, and Meta followed. Companies cited the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling and threats of litigation. Diversity commitments made after Floyd's 2020 murder — companies pledged $50+ billion in racial equity — were largely abandoned; studies showed minimal actual hiring changes had occurred.