Disney’s Diversity Policies Under Federal Scrutiny Amid Trump’s Crackdown

[Social Media]

 

Disney, long at the center of debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), is now facing a federal investigation as part of the White House’s efforts to dismantle such initiatives across the public and private sectors. Since taking office in January, President Trump has moved aggressively to eliminate DEI programs, issuing a series of executive orders targeting policies he has labeled as divisive. In a recent address to Congress, he reinforced this stance, declaring that the United States “will be woke no longer.”

Empty theater for Snow White's debut pic.twitter.com/c7IlIUWuih

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 23, 2025

 

Now, Disney has become the latest focus of this campaign. Bob Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced that he had instructed the agency’s enforcement bureau to launch an investigation into Disney and ABC, the broadcast network under its ownership. In a letter to Disney’s chief executive, Bob Iger, Carr raised concerns about potential violations of FCC equal employment opportunity regulations, accusing the company of engaging in “invidious forms of DEI discrimination.”

 

 

Carr criticized Disney’s past diversity efforts, stating that the company had gone “all in on invidious forms of DEI discrimination a few years ago and apparently did so in a manner that infected many aspects of your company’s decisions.” He specifically pointed to policies at ABC, which had previously mandated that at least half of recurring characters in new television series be from “underrepresented groups.”

 

“As I have made clear, promoting invidious forms of discrimination cannot be squared with any reasonable interpretation of federal law,” Carr wrote, adding that Disney would be contacted for further details as the investigation moves forward.

 

A Disney spokesperson responded cautiously, stating: “We are reviewing the Federal Communications Commission’s letter, and we look forward to engaging with the commission to answer its questions.”

 

The investigation is likely to send shockwaves through Hollywood, where DEI initiatives have been widely embraced in recent years. Some critics argue that Trump’s administration is using federal authority to target companies perceived as politically opposed to his agenda. This latest action follows a similar move in February, when Carr directed the FCC to investigate Comcast and NBCUniversal over their DEI practices.

 

In response to shifting political and corporate landscapes, Disney has already begun scaling back its diversity efforts. This mirrors a broader trend among major corporations since Trump’s return to power. The company has been at the center of numerous cultural clashes, including controversy over its 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, in which a Black actress was cast in the lead role. More recently, Disney’s Snow White remake struggled at the box office and faced backlash over its diversity-focused casting choices.

 

As federal scrutiny intensifies, Disney’s position as a cultural and political battleground continues, with the outcome of the investigation likely to shape the broader debate over DEI policies in corporate America.

 

Based on a report by The Times  2025-03-31

 

 

[mikeymike100]

Just look at 'Snow White' it bombed at the box office!!! Let's hope Disney learns a lesson, but I doubt if they will!

[JonnyF]

Go Woke, Go Broke. 

 

Disney's latest flop Snow 'Off' White proves just that. It's great to see. 

 

Amusing that a company that loves DEI so much found dwarves so repulsive that they refused to hire them and used CGI instead. "Weird? Weird". 

 

Any company that hires Zegler in a lead role deserves to lose every cent they wasted on this disastrous project.  

[goldenbrwn1]

Imagine getting the Star Wars ip and f’in that up…..I’m sure they have lost enough to stop all this madness with dei??? But it does take years for a movie to come to fruition so we prob wouldn’t know yet if they have indeed learned their lesson.

[Gsxrnz]

I frequently attempt to watch recently made movies, say made since about 2016. Invariably I switch them off after 5 minutes to prevent myself from involuntarily puking in my beer.

 

Then I watch The Matrix 1 thru 3.

 

I did once force myself to watch Resurrections, but had to distract myself with self-abuse to make it watchable.  The Wachowski Sisters are no match for the Wachowski Brothers.....oh wait! 

 

 

[LosLobo]

Trump Isn’t Hitler—Yet. But the Parallels Are Hard to Ignore.

1. Weaponizing Government Against Culture

   • Hitler: Banned “degenerate” art, controlled media, crushed dissent.

   • Trump: Using the FCC to punish “woke” companies, policing culture through intimidation.

2. Attacking Businesses for Ideology

   • Hitler: Purged Jewish businesses, forced corporations to follow Nazi doctrine.

   • Trump: Investigating companies with DEI policies, using state power to punish political enemies.

3. Nationalism as a Purity Test

   • Hitler: Framed diversity as a threat to German identity.

   • Trump: Calls DEI “anti-American,” pushing for a culture free of “woke influence.”

4. Scapegoating to Justify Power Grabs

   • Hitler: Blamed Jews, communists, and intellectuals for Germany’s decline.

   • Trump: Blames “woke” corporations, immigrants, and the Left for America’s problems.

5. Creating an ‘Us vs. Them’ Reality

   • Hitler: “Pure Germans” vs. internal enemies.

   • Trump: “Patriots” vs. “Woke leftists.”

Bottom Line:

Not Hitler yet, but the script is familiar—state-controlled culture wars, punishing businesses for ideological reasons, and enforcing loyalty through division. The next chapters won’t write themselves, but history shows how they usually go.

[MalcolmB]

I thought Disney was a company not a government thing.

Trump socialists should keep the noses out of peoples businesses

[James105]

9 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

Trump Isn’t Hitler—Yet. But the Parallels Are Hard to Ignore.

1. Weaponizing Government Against Culture

   • Hitler: Banned “degenerate” art, controlled media, crushed dissent.

   • Trump: Using the FCC to punish “woke” companies, policing culture through intimidation.

2. Attacking Businesses for Ideology

   • Hitler: Purged Jewish businesses, forced corporations to follow Nazi doctrine.

   • Trump: Investigating companies with DEI policies, using state power to punish political enemies.

3. Nationalism as a Purity Test

   • Hitler: Framed diversity as a threat to German identity.

   • Trump: Calls DEI “anti-American,” pushing for a culture free of “woke influence.”

4. Scapegoating to Justify Power Grabs

   • Hitler: Blamed Jews, communists, and intellectuals for Germany’s decline.

   • Trump: Blames “woke” corporations, immigrants, and the Left for America’s problems.

5. Creating an ‘Us vs. Them’ Reality

   • Hitler: “Pure Germans” vs. internal enemies.

   • Trump: “Patriots” vs. “Woke leftists.”

Bottom Line:

Not Hitler yet, but the script is familiar—state-controlled culture wars, punishing businesses for ideological reasons, and enforcing loyalty through division. The next chapters won’t write themselves, but history shows how they usually go.

 

Just 5 posts in and with have a Godwin!   Just because calling Trump Hitler didn't work last time it doesn't mean the same tactic won't work next time....right?  

 

Besides, what Trump is doing is ANTI discrimination.   DEI is discrimination.  Why do you want discrimination to continue?  Are you some kind of anti white racist?  

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

Just 5 posts in and with have a Godwin!   Just because calling Trump Hitler didn't work last time it doesn't mean the same tactic won't work next time....right?  

 

Besides, what Trump is doing is ANTI discrimination.   DEI is discrimination.  Why do you want discrimination to continue?  Are you some kind of anti white racist?  

Disney employing a diversity of staff that mirrors the diversity of the general population.

 

 

[LosLobo]

17 minutes ago, James105 said:

Just 5 posts in and with have a Godwin!   Just because calling Trump Hitler didn't work last time it doesn't mean the same tactic won't work next time....right?  

 

Besides, what Trump is doing is ANTI discrimination.   DEI is discrimination.  Why do you want discrimination to continue?  Are you some kind of anti white racist?  

 

The usual cult logic, with critical thinking and reasoning tossed out the window!
 

The classic Godwin’s Law Misuse (Strawman Fallacy)—as if any Hitler comparison is automatically invalid. But Godwin’s Law just states that as a discussion goes on, the probability of a Hitler/Nazi comparison approaches.

It doesn’t mean every such comparison is wrong. Even Godwin himself has said they can be valid when discussing fascist behavior.
 

Then we get the False Equivalence—claiming “DEI is discrimination” ignores the difference between systemic oppression and corrective policies. That’s like saying seatbelt laws “discriminate” against reckless drivers.
 

Next up, the Loaded Question (Complex Question Fallacy)—“Are you some kind of anti-white racist?” assumes racism without evidence, forcing a defensive answer. Classic rhetorical bait.

And of course, the Reversal of Victim and Offender (Gaslighting)—pretending that reducing privilege is the same as oppression. Because apparently, making things fair is an attack on those who had the advantage.

[Woke to Sounds]

Disney go back to drawing penises on posters (i.e. LIttle Mermaid) and stop with the Star Wars confusions.

 

Like the Total Recall remake disaster, this is just a lesson on how not to mess with the timeless original Snow White animated.

[jesimps]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 

Just 5 posts in and with have a Godwin!   Just because calling Trump Hitler didn't work last time it doesn't mean the same tactic won't work next time....right?  

 

Besides, what Trump is doing is ANTI discrimination.   DEI is discrimination.  Why do you want discrimination to continue?  Are you some kind of anti white racist?  

The same types who want gangs of TdA roaming around killing, raping and torturing with impunity. 

[Emdog]

Disney is a private company and as long as they don't violate laws, can do whatever DEI thing they want. If they want to "go broke by being woke", that is their choice. A true conservative believes gov should keep out of private businesses and private behavior as much as possible: it is none of the governments damn business. Fascists however believe the gov should be in on every sort of behavior and or thought: all are there to serve those in power. sadly many posters here think they are conservatives when they are fascists in reality

[Wrwest]

"Now, Disney has become the latest focus of this campaign. Bob Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced that he had instructed the agency’s enforcement bureau to launch an investigation into Disney and ABC, the broadcast network under its ownership. In a letter to Disney’s chief executive, Bob Iger, Carr raised concerns about potential violations of FCC equal employment opportunity regulations, accusing the company of engaging in “invidious forms of DEI discrimination."

 

Just observing that I thought these were those that opposed government regulation interference in private business and that all should let the market decide? 

[LosLobo]

The Walt Disney Company contributes approximately $75 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supporting over 200,000 jobs nationwide across its parks, media, and film operations.

I’m sure Canada and Mexico would welcome Disney’s “wokeness” with open arms.

[Watawattana]

56 minutes ago, Wrwest said:

"Now, Disney has become the latest focus of this campaign. Bob Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced that he had instructed the agency’s enforcement bureau to launch an investigation into Disney and ABC, the broadcast network under its ownership. In a letter to Disney’s chief executive, Bob Iger, Carr raised concerns about potential violations of FCC equal employment opportunity regulations, accusing the company of engaging in “invidious forms of DEI discrimination."

 

Just observing that I thought these were those that opposed government regulation interference in private business and that all should let the market decide? 

Yeah, but if they are breaking FCC equal employment opportunity regulations then shouldn't they be held accountable?

 

Surely nobody should be above the law?  Please note that I've written this last question with a high degree of ironical intent.

 

 

[James105]

1 hour ago, Emdog said:

Disney is a private company and as long as they don't violate laws, can do whatever DEI thing they want. If they want to "go broke by being woke", that is their choice. A true conservative believes gov should keep out of private businesses and private behavior as much as possible: it is none of the governments damn business. Fascists however believe the gov should be in on every sort of behavior and or thought: all are there to serve those in power. sadly many posters here think they are conservatives when they are fascists in reality

 

So if a company enforces a white's only policy it is perfectly okay as they are a private company?  After all, it would be their choice... right and government and the state should keep out of their business?  

[WDSmart]

I just don't understand how our government could think it could put any pressure on a private company (Disney?) for its diversity efforts. I know now that if a private company receives any federal aid (like some universities), it can be put under pressure to do what the government wants, but not a truly private company. I, of course, as a far-left liberal, support DEI and hope more companies and organizations continue to deploy it. 

[NoDisplayName]

4 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Just look at 'Snow White' it bombed at the box office!!! Let's hope Disney learns a lesson, but I doubt if they will!

 

Snow White?

 

Just look at what they've done to Star Wars and Doctor Who/They/Them!

[James105]

2 hours ago, LosLobo said:

 

The usual cult logic, with critical thinking and reasoning tossed out the window!
 

The classic Godwin’s Law Misuse (Strawman Fallacy)—as if any Hitler comparison is automatically invalid. But Godwin’s Law just states that as a discussion goes on, the probability of a Hitler/Nazi comparison approaches.

It doesn’t mean every such comparison is wrong. Even Godwin himself has said they can be valid when discussing fascist behavior.
 

Then we get the False Equivalence—claiming “DEI is discrimination” ignores the difference between systemic oppression and corrective policies. That’s like saying seatbelt laws “discriminate” against reckless drivers.
 

Next up, the Loaded Question (Complex Question Fallacy)—“Are you some kind of anti-white racist?” assumes racism without evidence, forcing a defensive answer. Classic rhetorical bait.

And of course, the Reversal of Victim and Offender (Gaslighting)—pretending that reducing privilege is the same as oppression. Because apparently, making things fair is an attack on those who had the advantage.

 

That's a lot of words to tell me you didn't pay attention in history class at school.   Perhaps you should educate yourself on what Hitler actually did before you start making comparisons to democratically elected presidents.  

[NoDisplayName]

33 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

I just don't understand how our government could think it could put any pressure on a private company (Disney?) for its diversity efforts. I know now that if a private company receives any federal aid (like some universities), it can be put under pressure to do what the government wants, but not a truly private company. I, of course, as a far-left liberal, support DEI and hope more companies and organizations continue to deploy it. 

 

You're okay with racism and sexism and other 'isms, as long as your voting block gets the goodies?

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, Emdog said:

Disney is a private company and as long as they don't violate laws, can do whatever DEI thing they want. If they want to "go broke by being woke", that is their choice. A true conservative believes gov should keep out of private businesses and private behavior as much as possible: it is none of the governments damn business. Fascists however believe the gov should be in on every sort of behavior and or thought: all are there to serve those in power. sadly many posters here think they are conservatives when they are fascists in reality

 

A company discriminating against potential job candidates based on their sex or race is very much the government's business. 

[JonnyF]

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Disney employing a diversity of staff that mirrors the diversity of the general population.

 

 

 

As opposed to hiring the best people for the job irrespective of their immutable characteristics. 

 

I feel bad for the thousands of workers who will get laid off to pay for the repeated failures. I wonder if Disney will eliminate people based on their race and gender in the same way as they hire them? 

 

https://www.aol.com/news/disney-begins-second-round-layoffs-130552294.html

 

 

 

[LosLobo]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 

That's a lot of words to tell me you didn't pay attention in history class at school.   Perhaps you should educate yourself on what Hitler actually did before you start making comparisons to democratically elected presidents.  

That's a lot of words to serve up a Gish Gallop. I must admit, revisionist history wasn’t part of my curriculum.

But just to clarify—Trump was not the democratically elected president in 2020? Or are we rewriting that too?

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

As opposed to hiring the best people for the job irrespective of their immutable characteristics. 

 

I feel bad for the thousands of workers who will get laid off to pay for the repeated failures. I wonder if Disney will eliminate people based on their race and gender in the same way as they hire them? 

 

https://www.aol.com/news/disney-begins-second-round-layoffs-130552294.html

 

 

 

There’s no such thing as ‘the best people for the job’.

 

There’s always a range of skills, qualifications and experiences that suit jobs and different candidates have a different balance of these.

 

 

 

 

 

[WDSmart]

2 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

You're okay with racism and sexism and other 'isms, as long as your voting block gets the goodies?

I'm not okay with racism and sexism. That is why I support DEI. It's an attempt to right the wrongs of previous racism and sexism by helping establish Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

I am a far-left lefty, but don't really ascribe to a "voting block (sic)." Although I usually vote Democrat, I would vote for any candidate in any party who best fits my values. 

[NoDisplayName]

3 hours ago, WDSmart said:

I'm not okay with racism and sexism. That is why I support DEI. It's an attempt to right the wrongs of previous racism and sexism by helping establish Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

I am a far-left lefty, but don't really ascribe to a "voting block (sic)." Although I usually vote Democrat, I would vote for any candidate in any party who best fits my values. 

 

Not okay with racism/sexism, but support racism/sexism to fight 'perceived' racism/sexism, resulting in.......more racism/sexism.

 

 

 

"We had to destroy the equality in order to save the equality, sir!"

[NoDisplayName]

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

There’s no such thing as ‘the best people for the job’.

 

Everybody is the same (unless tickbox needed).

We're all interchangeable (unless tickbox needed).

We're all winners if we just believe!

[thesetat]

10 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Disney employing a diversity of staff that mirrors the diversity of the general population.

 

 

Wow... a diversity of general population is quite an overreach.. With less than 10% being in the DEI category in all of the US. 

[BangkokReady]

11 hours ago, LosLobo said:

Trump Isn’t Hitler—Yet. But the Parallels Are Hard to Ignore.

1. Weaponizing Government Against Culture

   • Hitler: Banned “degenerate” art, controlled media, crushed dissent.

   • Trump: Using the FCC to punish “woke” companies, policing culture through intimidation.

2. Attacking Businesses for Ideology

   • Hitler: Purged Jewish businesses, forced corporations to follow Nazi doctrine.

   • Trump: Investigating companies with DEI policies, using state power to punish political enemies.

3. Nationalism as a Purity Test

   • Hitler: Framed diversity as a threat to German identity.

   • Trump: Calls DEI “anti-American,” pushing for a culture free of “woke influence.”

4. Scapegoating to Justify Power Grabs

   • Hitler: Blamed Jews, communists, and intellectuals for Germany’s decline.

   • Trump: Blames “woke” corporations, immigrants, and the Left for America’s problems.

5. Creating an ‘Us vs. Them’ Reality

   • Hitler: “Pure Germans” vs. internal enemies.

   • Trump: “Patriots” vs. “Woke leftists.”

Bottom Line:

Not Hitler yet, but the script is familiar—state-controlled culture wars, punishing businesses for ideological reasons, and enforcing loyalty through division. The next chapters won’t write themselves, but history shows how they usually go.

 

These comparisons are insane.  You need help.