Walmart plans to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion—or DEI—initiatives, the retail giant said on Nov. 25.
“We’ve been on a journey and know we aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone,” the company said in a statement.
The company announced that it will refrain from financing events aimed at sexually influencing children, stop participating in the Human Rights Coalition’s Corporate Equality Index, and remove the gender-neutral term “Latinx” from its documents, according to conservative filmmaker Robby Starbuck, who had been talking to Walmart for a story he was doing featuring the company’s DEI initiatives.
The retail giant said it would not provide further funding beyond its 2020 commitment of $100 million to its nonprofit Center for Racial Equity, for which it promised funding for five years.
Walmart will also “identify and remove inappropriate sexual and/or transgender products marketed to children,” such as chest binders, which it sells on its website.
Starbuck said that Walmart contacted him after the company became aware of his investigation.
Companies including Lowe’s, Ford, Jack Daniel’s, John Deere, Tractor Supply, and Harley-Davidson have dropped their DEI practices, Starbuck noted.
The changes come amid growing concerns over DEI policies and programs in corporate America and other sectors of society.
President-elect Donald Trump has said he intends to start rooting out what he called divisive policies in the U.S. military on day one of his new administration.
Trump’s Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth is expected to fire generals who implement DEI in the military. Appearing on the “Shawn Ryan Show” earlier this month, Hegseth said, “Any general that was involved, general, admiral, whatever that was involved in any of the DEI” must be removed.
