Meta is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs effective immediately in the company’s latest swing away from traditionally left-leaning causes. The company announced the policy change in an employee memo first reported by Axios.
“The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” the memo reads. “The term ‘DEI’ has also become charged, in part because it is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential treatment of some groups over others.”
The move comes just days after CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta would end third-party fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in favor of what looks more like X’s community notes. He also announced plans for a loosening of the platforms’ hateful conduct policy.
“The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point toward once again prioritizing speech,” Zuckerberg said. “So we’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.”
This was seen as another move in President-elect Donald Trump’s favor, and Trump responded in kind.
“Honestly, I think they’ve come a long way – Meta, Facebook – I think they’ve come a long way,” Trump said.
When asked if Trump thought the fact-checking move was done in direct response to his threats to Zuckerberg and Meta, Trump said, “Probably.”
Trump has previously called Facebook “a true Enemy of the People” and threatened Zuckerberg with prison if he or his company tried to influence the election in any way. Since those comments, the two have made inroads, especially following the first assassination attempt on Trump.
“On a personal note, seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Zuckerberg told Bloomberg.
Meta also donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, something the company had not done for Trump’s first inauguration or for President Joe Biden’s.
The company also promoted longtime Republican executive Joel Kaplan to lead global policy for Meta, replacing former deputy prime minister of the U.K. Nick Clegg, a member of the Liberal Democrats political party.
