During the past few years, a slew of companies have scaled back or eliminated their DEI initiatives altogether following Donald Trump’s opposition to these programs. However, in a surprising turn, latest figures show that DEI is supported across the political spectrum following the Bentley University-Gallup Business in Society survey, as reported by Jessica Guynn for USA Today.
Guynn quotes the latest Bentley University-Gallup Business in Society survey research, which shows that:
- 72% of Americans surveyed said promoting DEI should be a business priority, up from 69% in 2025.
- 71% said businesses with diverse workforces are more profitable, up from 61% in 2025.
- 75% said businesses with diverse workforces make more innovative products, up from 64% in 2025.
- Only 34% of Americans think businesses are doing a good or excellent job promoting DEI.
In addition, examining individuals’ political leanings, they found:
- 95% of Democrats said DEI should be a business priority
- Support for DEI as a business priority among Republicans rose from 33% to 37%.
- The proportion of Republicans who believe diverse workforces are more profitable rose from 30% to 41%.
So if almost three-quarters of employees, regardless of political affiliation, agree DEI should be a business priority, why are company executives still apparently submitting to political pressure? DEI has proven to be good for business, and employees want it. Guynn quotes Cynthia Clark, a Bentley University management professor, who says, “This should be a signal to managers to look internally to their employees for what works at their firm rather than following the political flavor of the moment.”
This raises an important question: Should companies change their workplace policies in response to political pressure, or should they listen to the people who actually work for them?
Is DEI going through a rebrand in order to fly under the political radar?
As attitudes toward DEI continue to change, some companies are reconsidering decisions to axe inclusion. For example, McDonald’s retired diversity hiring targets and paused some external diversity surveys, but renamed its diversity team the Global Inclusion Team. Companies such as Delta Air Lines, Disney, and Bank of America have found ways to still practice DEI without being targeted by the Trump administration by using phrases such as talent strategy, belonging for all, inclusive culture, and merit-based hiring, as reported by Bloomberg Law.
Other companies could take inspiration from this creative naming to ensure employees (especially marginalized ones) aren’t being left behind when the “going gets tough,” rather than terminating inclusion initiatives completely.
The data shows that numerous people across the political spectrum agree DEI should remain in the workforce because it plays a crucial role in company success and creates a space where individuals feel valued, safe, and comfortable, but it may no longer carry the label “DEI.”
Ready to learn more about DEI training?
Check out our unconscious bias training here or send a message.
If you haven’t yet had the opportunity, make sure to order a copy of Elmer Dixon’s powerful memoir DIE STANDING: From Black Panther Revolutionary to Global Diversity Consultant and check out what others have been saying about Elmer and his story.
Check out these other opportunities to see what folks are saying about Elmer and his continued work.
- See Elmer speak at Stories from the Revolutions’ Front Lines at his keynote at TEDxUTulsa
- Listen to Elmer talk on NPR’s The Jefferson Exchange
- Read about Elmer’s story in a piece featured in The Seattle Times
- Listen to Elmer on The Medium