Donald Trump has begun revising US government policies on gender and diversity, fulfilling campaign promises aimed at reshaping these areas.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump declared during his inaugural address.
The administration announced plans to sign an executive order recognising only two sexes—male and female—and asserting that gender cannot be changed.
This move is part of Trump’s broader effort to challenge what conservatives describe as “woke” culture, alongside the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
A senior administration official confirmed the executive order would “eliminate DEI within the federal government,” cutting funding for such initiatives across all agencies and reviewing offices renamed as part of DEI efforts.
It remains unclear whether this policy will extend to the private sector, with an official advising businesses to “wait and see.”
Since Trump’s election, several major US corporations, including McDonald’s, Walmart, and Meta, have scaled back or discontinued their DEI programmes. In contrast, companies such as Apple, Target, and Costco have reaffirmed their commitment to these initiatives.
Supporters of DEI programmes argue they are essential to addressing systemic discrimination based on race, gender, and other factors. These efforts gained renewed momentum following the global racial justice protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder in 2020.
