Walmart, the largest private employer in the US, has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, Forbes reports.
These adjustments come amid growing pressure from conservative groups criticizing corporate DEI initiatives as politically motivated and financially unsound. The changes include scaling back supplier diversity preferences, discontinuing racial equity training for employees, and withdrawing from the LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
Walmart confirmed the policy shifts to Bloomberg and the Associated Press, stating that it had been internally reviewing its DEI efforts before recent public scrutiny. However, the adjustments gained widespread attention after conservative commentator Robby Starbuck claimed credit for influencing the company’s decision. Starbuck, who has been actively campaigning against DEI initiatives in major corporations, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that he had “productive conversations” with Walmart executives, which he said led to the rollbacks.
In addition to internal policy changes, Walmart has agreed to monitor third-party listings on its online marketplace. The company pledged to remove products that Starbuck described as “sexual and/or transgender products marketed to children.” Walmart also said it will review grants for Pride events to ensure they do not support content deemed inappropriate for children.
The rollback was met with praise from prominent conservative figures. Starbuck hailed Walmart’s decision as a significant victory in the movement to reduce corporate DEI initiatives. Elon Musk, a vocal DEI critic, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, also expressed support for Starbuck’s efforts. Huckabee called Starbuck “perhaps the most influential person in America restoring our culture & country to sanity.”
Walmart’s move aligns with a broader trend of companies pulling back on DEI measures in response to public pressure from conservative activists. Earlier this year, Starbuck successfully campaigned against Tractor Supply’s DEI initiatives, leading the company to end its sponsorship of Pride events and withdraw from environmental goals. Other major companies, including Ford, Lowe’s, and Harley-Davidson, have also scaled back similar efforts following conservative criticism.
The rollback has sparked debates about the balance between fostering inclusivity and addressing concerns from various stakeholder groups. Critics of DEI rollbacks argue that these measures are critical for creating equitable workplaces and fostering innovation, while opponents claim they introduce unnecessary political and financial risks.
With 1.6 million employees in the US, Walmart is the largest American company to scale back its DEI efforts. Analysts suggest the changes could influence other major retailers, particularly those facing similar scrutiny. In a post on X, Starbuck suggested that competitors like Amazon and Target might face heightened pressure to follow suit, predicting that Walmart could gain a competitive edge by distancing itself from “woke” policies.
