Why the DEI hostility? 80% of Americans say it has either benefited or not impacted them

January 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM EST

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have been under fire as more corporations curtail DEI efforts amid a political backlash against the programs. President Trump as one of the first acts of his second administration repealed at least a dozen measures supporting racial equity and combating discrimination against gay and transgender people.

But a new survey from Harris Poll/Axios Vibes casts the DEI debate in a much different light: In almost every racial and generational category more Americans say they have benefited from these programs in their careers as opposed to being hindered by them. And a clear majority of all groups say DEI initiatives have had no impact on them at all.

“With all the backlash to DEI, you’d expect a public mandate to do so. But Americans are telling us they see the benefits of diversity, even if their support is more mild than passionate,” John Gerzema, CEO of the Harris Poll, told Axios.

The war on DEI has carried over into 2025 and was on display in recent congressional hearings for Trump’s Cabinet nominees. At Pete Hegseth’s hearing, the Defense secretary nominee railed against DEI, as did some lawmakers. DEI is “race essentialism,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said. “I think the American people have spoken loudly and clearly about this.”

But the numbers show surprising support for DEI. Among the key survey results:

While 41% of those surveyed said they support efforts to roll back diversity initiatives, the majority — nearly six in 10 — either oppose those efforts or are unsure about them.
57% said DEI initiatives have had no impact on their career, while 16% explicitly said they have been hindered.
39% of Democrats said they have benefited from DEI, compared to 26% of Republicans.
At least half of all demographic groups — including people of different races, ethnicities and sexual orientations — said DEI had no impact on their personal careers.
51% of respondents said DEI is primarily a symbolic gesture, while the rest said it is essential for equality.
61% of those surveyed said diverse employees have a positive impact on organizations, and 75% agreed that more needs to be done to guarantee everyone is advancing.

In a separate Harris survey taken in the fourth quarter of 2024 in collaboration with Express Employment Professionals, hiring managers said they were fielding questions about DEI, and jobseekers wanted employers to take a stand.

The top concerns job seekers want companies to address publicly are diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI) (37%), racism (35%), environmental issues (30%), and sexism (30%). And U.S. hiring managers agree with the job candidates: Nearly two-thirds (65%) feel companies should take a stance on specific issues – particularly DEI (30%) and racism (30%).

The findings come in a year when some corporations have scaled back – or in some instances, gutted – their DEI programs. Employers must carefully consider which issues to take a stance on based on their values and shareholder needs, said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO.

“It’s about finding the right balance between staying true to the company’s mission and addressing the concerns that matter most to their employees and customers,” Stoller said.

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Why the DEI hostility? 80% of Americans say it has either benefited or not impacted them

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