The pushback to DEI is pervasive and highly visible. In the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott was demonized on X as the “DEI Mayor.” Across social media platforms, anti-DEI celebrants declare the acronym stands for “Didn’t Earn It.”
The cultural revolt is evident in efforts from the 500,000-member-strong Heritage Foundation, with its Project 2025 aimed at eliminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in companies, organizations, and universities.
