Google has removed more than 50 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) groups from a list of organizations it supports financially, according to a watchdog report.

The list, released by Google’s US Government Affairs and Public Policy team for 2024, no longer includes 58 DEI groups, such as the Latino Leadership Alliance and the ACLU of Illinois.

A Google spokesperson said the report mischaracterizes its contributions, stating that the company funds hundreds of groups across the political spectrum, and that its support changes yearly.

In the past year, Google said it would no longer have diversity hiring goals, removed references to “underrepresented” groups from its grant website, and removed mentions of “diversity” and “equity” from its responsible AI web page and 10-K filings.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Corporate America is quietly retreating from public DEI commitments

Google’s decision reflects a broader pattern across major corporations, with 53% of S&P 100 companies adjusting their DEI messaging in major filings during 20251.

The scale of this retreat is measurable: corporate use of the term “DEI” in filings dropped by 68% compared to the previous year, while disclosures related to workforce and board diversity declined significantly1.

This shift extends beyond tech companies, with major retailers like Walmart and McDonald’s also scaling back their DEI initiatives2. Only 36 of the Fortune 500 companies released standalone DEI reports in 2024, a notable decrease from previous years2.

Rather than completely abandoning diversity efforts, many companies are reframing their commitments and embedding oversight more quietly into governance practices1. Some are integrating diversity disclosures into sustainability reports instead of publishing separate DEI documents2.

2️⃣ Companies are responding to increased legal and political pressure

The Trump administration’s executive orders have created uncertainty about what constitutes “illegal” DEI programs, leading companies to audit their initiatives to mitigate legal risks3.

These orders mandate that federal contractors certify compliance with anti-discrimination laws and have eliminated DEI positions across federal agencies4. The administration has specifically instructed federal agencies to dial back on using terms like “race” and “women”5.

Bloomberg analysis found that about 20% of companies in the S&P 100 have retreated from DEI commitments since the Trump administration began, with companies citing legal risks and political climate as primary reasons6.

The legal ambiguity is significant. Companies are advised to conduct assessments of their DEI programs while the administration’s orders could potentially lead to increased scrutiny and legal challenges against private sector DEI practices4.

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