Media conglomerate Disney has quietly pulled back on its previous diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Disney is one of the largest media companies in the world approaching 800 film productions. Over the last five years, its projects have floundered at the box office and in Hollywood accolades.

Recommended Stories

• Study finds yearslong decline of Christianity in US has halted
• What to know about the tariffs and threats imposed by Trump
• Costco clings to DEI as other companies abandon practice

The company’s latest filing to regulators did not mention its controversial “Reimagine Tomorrow” program, which began in 2021 and committed to a minimum of 50% of characters being LGBTQIA and racial minorities. 

Training materials at the time included concepts such as “white privilege,” “white fragility,” “white saviors,” “microaggressions,” and “antiracism.” Disney encouraged its white employees to complete a “white privilege checklist” during their employment.

Additionally, chief human resources officer Sonia Coleman sent out a note advising staff on the company’s new “talent strategy.” Coleman explained that hiring practices will “uphold our company values, incorporate different perspectives to drive business success, cultivate an environment where all employees can thrive, and sustain a robust pipeline to ensure long-term organizational strength.”

The changes come as President Donald Trump has worked during his first few weeks back in office to end DEI on the federal level and discourage companies from maintaining those practices.

Disney joins Target, Meta, McDonald’s, Walmart, Lowe’s, Toyota, Ford, and others that have rolled back DEI practices. These companies will no longer make hiring and firing decisions based on race or any other identity while phasing out the phrase “DEI.”

Meanwhile, Disney finished award season without a single win at the Golden Globes or the Oscars. Inside Out: 2 stood a chance as it was the highest-grossing film in June, earning $155 million during its North American opening weekend. This made it the second highest-grossing animated film of all time behind another company sequel, Incredibles 2, which raked in over $182 million in 2018.

HYUNDAI EXECUTIVE SAYS DEI ‘DRIVES THE BOTTOM LINE’ AS OTHER COMPANIES DITCH IT

Disney, Pixar, and ESPN, staff have faced round after round of layoffs. All three production companies have films, series, and live events that stream on Disney+. Pixar, in particular, has had three theatrical releases since the coronavirus pandemic, and from 2020 to 2022, three of its films went straight to the streaming service.

Costco, Apple, and Delta Airlines are among the companies keeping DEI policies and have gone public in defense of DEI.