Several major companies have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, with Walmart becoming the latest company to join the list.

Companies have faced criticism from conservative activists over DEI policies. An outspoken critic on the matter has been conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has attacked companies’ DEI policies and attacked individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of these companies announced that they were withdrawing their initiatives.

Separately, some conservative groups filed lawsuits making similar arguments against companies and targeting workplace initiatives such as diversity programs and hiring practices that prioritize historically marginalized groups, the Associated Press reported.

Companies that have rolled back DEI policies

Walmart

Walmart’s recourse to DEI policies includes, among other things, not renewing a five-year commitment to a racial equity center founded in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd and withdrawing from a prominent gay rights index. And based on race or gender, the Associated Press reported that Walmart will not give priority treatment to suppliers.

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company announced in late August that it was stepping back from some of its DEI initiatives.

In a letter from Ford boss Jim Farley to the employeesHe told employees that earlier this year Ford had made the decision to no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, an annual survey and report evaluating “policies, practices and benefits relevant to lesbians and gay men.” are”. , bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) employees.”

Harley Davidson

Harley-Davidson announced in August that it was ending diversity and other progressive initiatives at the company. “We are saddened by the negativity on social media in recent weeks aimed at dividing the Harley-Davidson community.” the company wrote in a statement published on X.

The company added in its post: “We have not operated a DEI function since April 2024 and no longer have a DEI function today. We no longer have hiring quotas or spending targets for supplier diversity.”

John Deer

In July, John Deere announced that it would eliminate all of its DEI policies in favor of a quality-focused workplace. The tractor manufacturer published a statement on this X account on July 16th It stated that it would commit to prioritizing quality and customer trust over DEI initiatives.

caterpillar

caterpillara heavy equipment manufacturer, made DEI changes at the company that included requiring all company training to focus on business operations and requiring approval from senior leadership to bring in outside speakers or participate in outside surveys and awards was required.

Tractor supply

The Agricultural supplies retailer announced in June that it would end sponsorship of “non-business activities” such as Pride festivals and election campaigns, with the intention of focusing more on “priorities of rural America,” FOX Business reported.

Lowes

The hardware retailer has discontinued several DEI programs. Lowe’s stopped participating in polls for the Human Rights Campaign. The company has also reportedly changed its internal policies to no longer sponsor or support parades or festivals.

Moolson Coors

Molson Coors said in September that DEI training would be eliminated after all employees completed it. The company also announced it would abandon its defined supplier diversity goals and remove “ambitious representation goals” from its executives’ compensation plans starting next year, FOX Business reported.

Brown Forman

Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, announced in August that it was withdrawing its DEI initiatives due to social media pressure.

Quote a copy of an internal memo published on XThe New York Post reported that Brown-Forman would stop tying bonuses and payments to DEI progress, end its participation in an annual ranking of companies with an LGBTQ-friendly environment, and end its plans to push for a more diverse group of suppliers , will discard.

Kentucky-based Brown-Forman first launched its DEI goals in 2019 and previously tied 10% of executives’ short-term compensation to progress toward DEI goals, the New York Post noted, citing the company an annual report 2023.