Support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs among American employees is particularly increasing among Republicans. This shift in opinion has emerged following political pressures during Donald Trump's presidency, which halted these programs in large companies.
Increasing Support for DEI Programs
According to a new survey from Bentley University and Gallup, nearly 72% of Americans believe promoting DEI should be a business priority. Meanwhile, belief in the positive impact of diversity on profitability and innovation is growing, with over 71% of respondents believing that companies with diverse workforces are more profitable.
The results of this survey indicate an unexpected shift in bipartisan support for DEI programs. Although views on this issue remain highly polarized, employees across the political spectrum are increasingly positive about the benefits of these programs in the workplace.
Impact of Legislation and Political Pressures
The Trump administration took actions during its tenure to eliminate policies related to DEI, causing companies to fear federal investigations and loss of government contracts. For example, the Department of Justice announced that Accenture must pay $25 million for violating anti-discrimination laws.
However, the new survey shows that 75% of respondents believe that companies with diverse workforces produce more innovative products. This figure has increased since 2025. Additionally, 37% of Republicans, 71% of independents, and 95% of Democrats view promoting DEI as a key priority for businesses.
This survey also highlights a gap between Americans' expectations of companies and their actual performance. Only one-third of Americans rate companies' DEI performance as good or excellent, with this dissatisfaction varying significantly among different parties.
The results of this survey indicate that bipartisan support for DEI programs is increasing; however, skepticism among Republicans remains. More than half of them partially or fully believe that companies with diverse workforces are not more profitable.
This research serves as an important signal for company executives to pay attention to the opinions and needs of their employees rather than following political pressures.
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