Washington, D.C. – March 30, 2025
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a formal investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, signaling growing pressure from the Trump administration on media and tech companies accused of promoting “discriminatory” diversity initiatives.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr confirmed on Friday that letters were sent to Disney and its news division, ABC News, demanding clarification on whether the company’s DEI efforts have violated federal broadcasting regulations, particularly regarding equal employment opportunity rules.
“I want to determine whether Disney’s actions—whether ongoing or recently ended—complied at all times with applicable FCC regulations,” Carr wrote in a letter addressed to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Carr, a Trump appointee who took leadership of the FCC in late 2024, has increasingly targeted media companies over their editorial and corporate diversity practices. Investigations have already been opened into NPR, PBS, Verizon, and Comcast’s NBCUniversal over similar concerns.
Disney Responds
A Disney spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter and stated the company is “reviewing the inquiry and looks forward to engaging with the commission.”
Carr acknowledged that Disney had rolled back some of its DEI programs earlier this year but insisted “significant concerns remain.”
The probe will reportedly examine everything from Disney’s hiring and promotion policies to character diversity in its content.
Global Reach of DEI Crackdown
This investigation comes amid broader enforcement of Trump’s anti-DEI executive order, which bans all US government contractors from implementing diversity-focused programs. Even foreign firms are feeling the heat: the U.S. Embassy in France recently issued warnings to French companies doing business with the U.S., urging full compliance with the order.
The move underscores how the Trump administration is extending its ideological battle against DEI initiatives to global corporations, contractors, and cultural institutions.
A History of Political Targeting
Disney has found itself in the political crosshairs before. The company was previously embroiled in a bitter feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the state’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law, after which Disney’s legal and tax privileges in Florida came under scrutiny.
In another high-profile case, Disney paid $15 million in a defamation settlement with former President Donald Trump after an ABC anchor falsely claimed he was found liable for rape. A New York jury had determined Trump was liable for sexual abuse—not rape—under the state’s legal definitions.
DEI: A Divisive National Debate
The latest scrutiny reflects a larger cultural and political battle unfolding in the U.S. over DEI efforts. While progressive organizations say these programs are essential for workplace equality and media representation, critics—especially in conservative circles—argue they amount to “reverse discrimination” and “woke overreach.”
Carr’s investigations represent a firm alignment with the administration’s broader anti-DEI stance, with media, tech, and even global businesses now caught in the crossfire.
As the FCC continues its inquiries, Disney—long known for its inclusive messaging and global family appeal—must now defend its corporate policies under a lens of rising regulatory and political pressure.
