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T-Mobile Ends DEI Programs Amid FCC Approval Push for Major Deals

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T-Mobile US announced on Wednesday that it is terminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as it seeks approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for two significant transactions. In a letter to FCC Chair Brendan Carr, made public the same day, T-Mobile confirmed it is ending all DEI-related policies “not just in name, but in substance.”

The wireless carrier will eliminate any individual roles or teams dedicated to DEI, remove all DEI references from its websites, and strip DEI content from employee training materials. FCC Chair Carr welcomed the move, calling it “another good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and the public interest.”

T-Mobile is awaiting FCC clearance to acquire most of regional carrier United States Cellular’s wireless operations, including customers, stores, and 30% of its spectrum assets, in a $4.4 billion deal. The FCC is also reviewing a separate deal where T-Mobile plans to form a joint venture with investment firm KKR to acquire internet service provider Metronet, which serves over 2 million homes and businesses across 17 states. T-Mobile intends to invest approximately $4.9 billion for a 50% stake in the joint venture and full ownership of Metronet’s residential fiber operations upon closing.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, who called T-Mobile’s move “a cynical bid to win FCC regulatory approval” and accused the company of mocking its stated commitments to fighting discrimination and promoting fairness.

This is not the first time the FCC, under Chair Carr, a Trump appointee, has linked approval of telecom mergers with the dismantling of DEI programs. In May, the FCC approved Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications’ fiber-optic assets after Verizon agreed to end its DEI initiatives following an FCC investigation. Earlier in the year, Carr also opened a probe into Comcast’s promotion of DEI programs.

The rollback of DEI efforts follows former President Trump’s executive orders in January aimed at dismantling government-backed DEI programs and pressuring private companies to follow suit.

Dell Workforce Declines by 10% in Fiscal 2025 Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

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Dell Technologies reported a 10% reduction in its workforce for fiscal year 2025, as the company continues to streamline operations in response to ongoing cost pressures. The company’s total headcount as of January 31, 2025, stood at approximately 108,000 employees, down from 120,000 a year earlier. This reduction is part of Dell’s broader strategy to reduce costs, including limiting external hiring and implementing employee reorganizations.

Cost-Cutting Measures and Commitment to Diversity

In its annual report, Dell reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion, despite growing political scrutiny over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The company emphasized its dedication to equal employment opportunities and its efforts to implement inclusive policies that support its corporate goals.

While some other major companies like Meta and Alphabet have scaled back or eliminated DEI initiatives, Dell has maintained its stance on these values. However, this decision comes amid shifting political views, with President Donald Trump previously criticizing DEI initiatives and suggesting investigations into whether such policies might violate the law.

Financial Forecast and Challenges

Dell also disclosed a forecast for fiscal year 2026, predicting a decline in its adjusted gross margin rate due to increased costs associated with building AI servers in an increasingly competitive market. This follows a 5% reduction in the workforce during fiscal year 2024, signaling ongoing efforts to manage operating expenses while adapting to the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Conclusion

Dell’s workforce reduction and its continued focus on cost-cutting measures highlight the company’s efforts to stay competitive in a challenging market. The firm’s commitment to diversity remains steadfast, even as political and economic pressures influence corporate decisions. With forecasts indicating more financial challenges ahead, Dell will need to balance cost reduction with innovation to maintain its position in the AI server space.

Amazon Removes Diversity References from Annual Report

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Amazon has removed references to “inclusion and diversity” from its 2024 annual report, signaling a shift in its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This change follows a December memo from Amazon executive Candi Castleberry, in which she stated that the company would wind down outdated DEI initiatives by the end of 2024. The memo emphasized integrating DEI practices into existing processes rather than running separate, individual programs.

For the past two years, Amazon’s annual report had included a statement in its “human capital” section, highlighting the company’s focus on inclusion and diversity as part of its commitment to being the “Earth’s best employer.” The 2024 version of the report omits this mention entirely and also removes a reference to a goal of “promoting equity” in employee hiring and development efforts.

The removal of DEI references comes as many large corporations, including other tech giants like Meta and Alphabet, scale back similar initiatives following political pressures and challenges from conservative groups. These groups have targeted corporate diversity programs, and legal threats have emerged, urging companies to reconsider their DEI policies.

While Amazon’s website still states its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the company’s move to reduce its focus on these programs reflects broader shifts in corporate America, with some companies, such as Disney, also scaling back or adjusting their diversity-related efforts. Despite the changes, Amazon did not provide further details about potential alterations to DEI-related employee positions.