Walmart is rolling back DEI policies, becoming the latest US company to join the growing trend

FIRST ON FOX: Walmart is making a series of changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, becoming the latest in a growing list of major companies stopping so-called “woke” initiatives.

Anti-woke activist and filmmaker Robby Starbuck, who is leading a campaign exposing the woke policies of major corporations, called it quits on Monday

“Instead,” Starbuck shared, “we have had productive conversations to find solutions.”

Walmart is the latest major company to roll back its DEI policies following pressure from activists. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images/File)

Starbuck outlined the changes Walmart agreed to, including efforts to remove sexual and transgender products that are inappropriately marketed to children and reviewing grants for Pride events to include funding for sexualized content that targets children. to avoid.

Walmart clarified that these changes have been in the works for several years and are not the result of discussions with Starbuck.

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Walmart confirmed to FOX Business that it plans to change the way it monitors products on its marketplace and reviews grant funding.

The company said it removed some products that violated its policies, such as breast binders – products designed to flatten the breasts – when marketed to children.

The company also confirmed that it will review all grants, particularly for community events, to ensure they promote an appropriate environment for children. However, Walmart will continue to support Pride celebrations.

The company has also decided not to renew the Racial Equity Center, launched in 2020 as a five-year initiative, and will remove the terms “LatinX” and even “DEI” entirely from official communications. Instead, the concept of “belonging” will be the focus for all employees and customers.

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Walmart has also joined a number of companies in recent months — including Ford and John Deere — in ending participation in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, an annual survey and report assessing “policies, practices and benefits for Lesbians and gays”. , bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) employees.”

Walmart confirmed it was informed about the Starbucks video last week. Walmart generally does not comment on politics.

A customer shops at a Walmart store. (REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/File)

In a statement to FOX Business, Walmart said it is “ready to transform alongside our associates and customers who represent all of America.”

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“We have been on a journey and know we are not perfect, but every decision is based on the desire to foster a sense of belonging, open doors for all of our employees, customers and suppliers, and be a Walmart for everyone,” the company said.

Celebrating Walmart’s announced changes, Starbuck tells FOX Business: “Walmart is the largest single employer in the United States. Eliminating wokeness at Walmart has both downstream implications for suppliers and the tone for corporate America.”

“Changing the normal operating policies of a nearly $1 trillion company is a gigantic feat that many have attempted, but so far no one has managed to actually accomplish,” he continued. “It demonstrates the strength and scope of our movement to eliminate wokeness in society and how effective I have been as a voice for the concerns of the average consumer.”

Starbuck added, “I won’t stop until wakefulness is a relic of the past.”