Amazon Removes 'Diversity and Inclusion' References from Annual Report

Shift Reflects Impact of Trump Administration’s DEI Rollbacks, Google Follows Suit

Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce company, has officially eliminated references to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from its latest annual report. This move signals a significant shift in corporate priorities, aligning with broader changes driven by the Trump administration’s rollback of DEI-related initiatives across various sectors.

According to CNBC, Amazon’s recently submitted annual report, following its earnings announcement on February 7, no longer includes language emphasizing "diversity and inclusion" under the "Human Capital" section. In previous reports, Amazon explicitly stated, "We focus on investment, innovation, inclusion, diversity, safety, and employee engagement to recruit and develop top talent as we strive to be Earth’s best employer." However, the latest report has simplified this statement to, "We strive to be Earth’s best employer," omitting any mention of diversity and inclusion. Instead, it adds a more generalized phrase: "We utilize a variety of initiatives to achieve this goal."

This change comes after an internal memo circulated within Amazon in December, shortly after the U.S. presidential election, indicating that the company was in the process of reviewing "outdated programs and materials." The memo hinted at a reassessment of DEI-related policies, foreshadowing the recent revisions in its public-facing documents. Notably, sections previously dedicated to specific topics like "Black Equity," "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," and "LGBTQ+ Rights" have been consolidated, with terms such as "transgender" removed entirely.

Amazon’s shift mirrors broader governmental policy changes under President Donald Trump’s renewed administration. The Trump administration has actively dismantled federal diversity promotion initiatives, framing DEI efforts as forms of reverse discrimination against white and male populations—a stance strongly supported by many of his followers. This ideological shift is now visibly influencing corporate America, with major companies reconsidering their public commitments to diversity-related programs.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has also followed suit. In its annual report released after its February 4 earnings call, Alphabet removed the statement, "We are committed to making diversity, equity, and inclusion part of everything we do and to building a workforce that reflects the users we serve." This marks a stark contrast to the company’s earlier stance following the 2020 death of George Floyd, which had spurred tech giants to set ambitious DEI goals. At that time, Google pledged to increase the representation of "underrepresented groups" in leadership roles to 30% by 2025.

Similarly, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, recently disbanded its diversity oversight team. Meta informed its employees that the "legal and policy environment surrounding DEI efforts in the U.S. is evolving," signaling a cautious corporate response to the shifting political landscape.

These developments reflect a broader trend among U.S. corporations reevaluating their DEI strategies amid changing political priorities. While the long-term impact on workplace diversity remains to be seen, the removal of such language from high-profile corporate reports suggests a retreat from the bold DEI commitments made in recent years. This shift not only impacts internal corporate cultures but may also influence public perceptions of these companies’ social responsibilities.