The FCC has launched an inquiry into The Walt Disney Company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, marking a significant escalation in the scrutiny of corporate DEI initiatives under the Trump administration.
The investigation follows a similar probe announced for Comcast and NBCUniversal on February 11, 2025, and aligns with a broader push to challenge such programs across U.S. industries.
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr initiated this inquiry as part of a wave of actions spurred by President Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025, which aimed to dismantle federal DEI programs and urged federal agencies to identify up to nine publicly traded companies for civil compliance investigations. Carr, who assumed the chairmanship in January 2025, singled out Disney due to its extensive FCC-regulated operations, including its ownership of ABC, a major broadcast network, and numerous radio stations. The inquiry focuses on whether Disney’s DEI practices comply with FCC regulations, particularly those prohibiting discrimination in employment and programming.
Historically, the company has championed initiatives like "Reimagine Tomorrow," launched in 2021 to amplify underrepresented voices, and maintained a robust network of over 100 employee resource groups (ERGs) representing diverse communities. However, in response to mounting political pressure, Disney retooled its DEI framework in February 2025. An internal memo from Chief Human Resources Officer Sonia Coleman outlined a shift from explicit DEI language to a focus on “business outcomes” and “talent strategy.” The "Reimagine Tomorrow" site was rebranded as "MyDisneyToday," emphasizing talent attraction and a culture of belonging over specific diversity metrics. Executive compensation criteria also replaced a “Diversity & Inclusion” factor with “Talent Strategy,” assessing leaders on fostering an inclusive environment without explicit DEI targets.
The FCC’s inquiry was foreshadowed by posts on X Wednesday where users noted Carr’s intent to investigate Disney’s DEI practices, citing a Puck News report. This followed Disney’s $15 million settlement with the SEC in late 2024 over unrelated financial disclosures, which some speculated was an attempt to avoid broader regulatory scrutiny—a hope dashed by the FCC’s move. Carr’s letter to Disney, though not publicly detailed as of this date, is believed to mirror his February 11 letter to Comcast, where he expressed concern that DEI initiatives might promote “invidious forms” of discrimination, potentially violating FCC rules.
Disney confirmed receipt of the FCC inquiry on March 26, 2025, stating it would cooperate fully, though it has not released further specifics. The investigation has sparked varied reactions. FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a Democrat, condemned it as overreach, arguing on March 26 that it exceeds the agency’s authority and contradicts Carr’s past criticisms of expansive FCC power.
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