Tyson Foods, one of the largest meat producers in the United States, has come under fire for quietly deleting dozens of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related posts from its website following the 2024 presidential election. The move comes as former President Donald Trump returns to office and renews his administration’s efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives across American institutions.

Tyson Deletes Over 30 DEI Blog Posts

According to a new report by the nonpartisan watchdog Fair Agriculture Council, Tyson Foods removed over 30 posts related to DEI since November 2024. These included references to George Floyd, Martin Luther King Jr., Pride Month, Juneteenth, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Native American Heritage Month.

The deleted posts had previously been published between 2019 and 2023, a period during which DEI efforts were booming in corporate America. Now, the archived links to those posts bring up a “Page Not Found” error on Tyson’s website.

In one such post from September 2020, Tyson had stated, “Executive leadership at Tyson Foods is committed to integrating equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the workplace.” Another post during Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 highlighted the “incredible impact and contributions of the Hispanic community” and Tyson’s commitment to serve communities more equitably.

DEI Reversal Reflects National Political Shift

Tyson’s quiet retreat from DEI echoes a broader corporate trend as companies face growing scrutiny over race- and identity-based workplace programs. This shift is largely fueled by political and legal developments. The Trump administration has made the dismantling of DEI a cornerstone of its second term, launching executive orders and investigations targeting diversity programs in federal agencies, schools, and government contractors.

In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down race-based college admissions practices, citing the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause — a decision that has had ripple effects across corporate DEI frameworks.

Corporate Silence and Public Criticism

When asked for comment, Tyson Foods declined to address the deleted content directly but issued a general statement: “We continue to review our company policies based on many considerations and make adjustments that will help support our teams and our business, in full accordance with the law.”

This vague response did little to quell criticism.

The Fair Agriculture Council blasted Tyson’s retreat, stating, “Tyson doesn’t deserve credit for dropping DEI. It deserves scrutiny for why it went woke in the first place.” The watchdog argues Tyson’s past embrace of DEI was performative — a smokescreen designed to distract from deeper issues like worker exploitation, poor food safety standards, and animal cruelty.

A Record of DEI Performances

Before removing its DEI content, Tyson had made public commitments to progressive social causes. The company:

• Created executive DEI roles and a formal DEI council
• Conducted racial bias audits and employee trainings
• Held extended moments of silence for George Floyd
• Donated $5 million to social justice organizations
• Participated in Pride Month and the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

Critics claim these initiatives were more about optics than substance, calling them “corporate theater.”

Immigration Controversy and Labor Criticism

Beyond DEI, Tyson is also being scrutinized for its immigration and labor practices. The company has actively recruited refugees and asylum seekers, and in 2022 joined the Tent Partnership for Refugees, committing to hire 2,500 refugees over three years. It also provides legal assistance for immigrant employees and has publicly supported DREAMers and farmworker protections.

However, conservative organizations have voiced concern over what they view as Tyson’s prioritization of non-citizens for jobs, particularly amid the ongoing border crisis.

America First Legal (AFL), a conservative legal group founded by former Trump aides, has filed civil rights complaints against Tyson Foods. AFL alleges:

• Discrimination against American citizens in favor of hiring foreign nationals
• Sex-based discrimination in hiring
• Violations of Iowa’s child labor laws

According to AFL, Tyson’s corporate documents and media statements point to a deliberate hiring strategy favoring non-citizens and vulnerable populations, including minors.

Tyson’s Defense

Tyson strongly denied the allegations.

“We strongly refute the baseless allegations made in the report that misrepresents our work and values,” the company said. “To be clear, everyone working in our facilities are legally authorized to do so, and the majority of those team members are American citizens or permanent residents of the United States.”

Tyson emphasized that all hiring decisions are made based on qualifications and skills, not race, gender, or immigration status. “All positions at Tyson Foods are open to anyone who can legally work in the country,” the spokesperson added.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Corporate DEI

Tyson Foods is not alone. Across corporate America, companies are now reevaluating or walking back DEI commitments made in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. With growing political and legal opposition to identity-based programs, many are retreating from public-facing diversity efforts to avoid controversy.

For some, this signals progress toward merit-based, colorblind employment policies. For others, it’s a worrying sign of corporate backpedaling and abandonment of marginalized communities in the face of political pressure.

Whether Tyson’s decision is seen as pragmatic compliance or a betrayal of values may depend on your political perspective — but either way, it places the company at the center of a national reckoning over what DEI should look like in 2025 and beyond.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did Tyson Foods delete its DEI blog posts?

Tyson deleted over 30 DEI-related posts following the 2024 election of Donald Trump. The company has not given a specific reason, but critics believe it was to avoid political scrutiny amid growing anti-DEI sentiment.

What were the posts about?

The deleted content covered topics like Black History Month, Pride Month, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, and support for George Floyd. They also highlighted Tyson’s DEI policies and community initiatives.

Is Tyson Foods facing legal action?

Yes. America First Legal has filed complaints against Tyson Foods alleging sex discrimination, hiring bias against American citizens, and violations of child labor laws in Iowa.

What is Tyson’s stance on immigration?

Tyson supports immigration reform, has hired thousands of refugees and asylum seekers, and offers legal services to immigrant employees. It maintains that all workers are legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Are other companies rolling back DEI too?

Yes. Since the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision and Trump’s 2024 victory, many companies are quietly retreating from DEI programs or removing public references to them to reduce legal and political risks.