Could Trump’s Win Mean Goodbye to Woke Policies?

Meet Robby Starbuck, a Republican activist known for his anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) campaign. He's got a massive following on X—over 650,000 people strong. He's been pushing big companies to reconsider their DEI policies. He believes if former President Donald Trump wins the upcoming election, we could see these policies change big-time. Starbuck reckons a Trump administration could wipe out DEI at the federal level and maybe even ditch those DEI offices in federal agencies. He thinks companies might follow suit, especially if it means avoiding sanctions. Starbuck has a point. Even now, some big businesses are rethinking their DEI strategies. Companies like Lowe's, Deere & Company, and Harley-Davidson have dialed back on these policies after pressure from Starbuck and his supporters. But, if Vice President Kamala Harris wins, Starbuck worries DEI could become even more entrenched. Still, he's confident consumer power can drive change in consumer-facing businesses.

Starbuck isn't alone in his views. David Burton of the Heritage Foundation says while there’s been some pullback on DEI, nothing substantial has changed at the federal level yet. Starbuck argues that DEI guidelines and edicts are different from long-standing anti-discrimination laws. He sees DEI as a tool for left-wing policies. With a Trump victory, he expects a ripple effect, where businesses might roll back DEI policies to avoid losing contracts or facing boycotts. Starbuck's success, he says, is due to a fatigued public and companies eager to ditch unsuccessful DEI policies. He plans to stay active, no matter who wins the election. If Harris wins, he's ready to be more aggressive. His team is thorough, investigating companies before urging change. He's surprised by the fair media coverage and is preparing for November's elections. Starbuck believes his success isn't just his own but a collective effort with his followers and Republican allies.

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