Conservatism on the Rise: McDonald's Announces the Abandonment of Diversity and Inclusion Policies | WPN World People News

On January 6, McDonald's announced the cancellation of certain diversity and inclusion policies, including no longer requiring suppliers to commit to specific diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, and withdrawing from external assessments. The company's diversity committee will also be renamed.

This move comes as the latest example of businesses reevaluating their policies following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 ruling that universities cannot use affirmative action in admissions. The decision prompted many companies and institutions to reconsider their programs supporting minority groups.

Affirmative action was initially designed to address America's historical racial discrimination by increasing educational opportunities for African Americans and other minority groups. However, Chief Justice John Roberts, in his ruling, noted that many schools had overly relied on race as an admissions criterion, neglecting individuals' abilities to overcome challenges and develop skills.

McDonald's decision may be influenced by the incoming Trump administration. Trump has been a strong critic of DEI initiatives, and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance proposed a bill in the Senate last year to end federal DEI programs.

McDonald's emphasized that it remains committed to promoting diversity and has already met its goals since 2021, including gender pay equity across positions and ensuring that 30% of its leadership positions are held by minority groups.

According to reports, McDonald's is not alone in this shift. In 2024, other brands such as Ford, John Deere, Lowe's, Harley-Davidson, and Jack Daniel's also adopted similar policies, moving away from DEI targets, reflecting a strong backlash against political correctness in American society.