Meta Abandons DEI Programs as Zuckerberg Launches Scathing Critique of Biden Administration

In a significant shift that signals Meta’s realignment with conservative priorities, the social media giant announced the immediate termination of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, while CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivered a blistering critique of the Biden administration during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.

The company’s internal memo, circulated on Friday, outlined sweeping changes including the elimination of its diverse slate hiring approach and the complete disbanding of its DEI team. Meta cited a “changing legal and policy landscape” following recent Supreme Court decisions against diversity-focused programs at US universities.

The transformation extends beyond DEI initiatives. Meta’s Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will transition to a new role focused on accessibility and engagement. The company will also end its supplier diversity program, which previously prioritized sourcing from diverse-owned businesses.

During his appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Zuckerberg revealed troubling details about the Biden administration’s approach to content moderation during the COVID-19 pandemic. He described instances where government officials would “scream” and “curse” at Meta employees, demanding the removal of certain posts, including humorous content.

One particularly contentious incident involved a meme featuring Leonardo DiCaprio that suggested COVID-19 vaccine recipients might later qualify for class-action lawsuits. Despite pressure from the administration, Zuckerberg stood firm, stating, “We’re not going to take down humor”.

The Meta CEO likened the administration’s efforts to censorship, calling it “a slippery slope” and “something out of ‘1984.’” He criticized their demands to remove posts about vaccine side effects, even when the information was factually accurate.

These changes come as Meta positions itself for Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency. The company has already made several moves to align with conservative priorities, including hiring a Republican public affairs chief and appointing UFC CEO Dana White, a close Trump ally, to its board.

The company’s transformation extends to its content moderation policies, with Meta recently announcing the end of its US fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram. This decision follows long-standing complaints from Trump’s Republican Party about social media censorship.

In what appears to be a further gesture toward the incoming administration, Meta has donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund, a step it hadn’t taken for either Trump’s first inauguration or President Biden’s.

The corporate shift at Meta reflects a broader trend among major American companies. Following Trump’s election victory, several prominent brands including Walmart, Ford, John Deere, Lowe’s, Harley-Davidson, and Jack Daniel’s have scaled back their diversity initiatives