Following Walmart and Harley Davidson, the fast-food chain McDonald's has also decided to partially abandon its diversity policy goals that favor minorities. Analysts interpret this move as a response to the inauguration of the Donald Trump administration, which has declared its intention to dismantle DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies.
On the 6th (local time), McDonald's management announced this policy in an open letter sent to employees and franchisees. While McDonald's will continue to support efforts to secure diversity and inclusion, it has decided to eliminate specific achievement targets set for these efforts. Additionally, it will terminate DEI mutual pledges made with suppliers and discontinue employee training programs. The company also plans not to respond to related external surveys.
Although no specific mention was made, this is interpreted as a refusal to participate in annual Human Rights Campaign surveys measuring workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees or corporate equality index surveys conducted by major human rights organizations, similar to cases with Ford and Lowe's. Furthermore, the name of the existing diversity team will be changed to the "Global Inclusion Team."
Headquartered in Chicago, McDonald's has promoted initiatives emphasizing diversity since 2021, shortly after facing internal sexual harassment lawsuits and class-action lawsuits from Black franchisees alleging discrimination. However, the company explained that it made this decision after evaluating the recent changing legal environment, including the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling declaring Affirmative Action unconstitutional. The letter published on the company's website also mentioned that shareholder expectations, communication, and trends among other companies influenced this decision.
In particular, the change in McDonald's policy direction appears to be significantly influenced by shifts in the U.S. political landscape. President-elect Trump, who is poised to return to the White House, has argued that diversity values such as DEI, PC (political correctness), and woke culture, emphasized by the Joe Biden administration, cause further discrimination and promote division. He has declared his intention to dismantle related policies. Additionally, Trump nominated Stephen Miller, former senior White House advisor and head of the nonprofit legal group America First Legal, which opposes corporate DEI policies, as deputy chief of staff for policy in the next administration's White House.
Conservative "anti-woke" consumer activist Robby Starbuck welcomed the move on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, "McDonald's is ending woke DEI policies," and added, "We are winning. One by one, we will revive the spirit of American companies." He noted, "The landscape of American companies is rapidly shifting toward a rational and neutral direction," and added that Walmart, Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley Davidson, Polaris, Lowe's, Ford, Quat, Stanley, Jack Daniel's, Caterpillar, Boeing, Toyota, and Nissan have all changed their related policies so far.
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