Disney’s reputation as America’s favorite entertainment company is under attack as the FCC turns up the heat on their diversity policies. Federal regulators are questioning whether the House of Mouse’s diversity and inclusion agenda may have crossed legal lines, potentially discriminating against employees based on race, religion, and other protected characteristics.
At a glance:
• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into Disney and ABC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs
• The probe aims to determine if these practices violate federal non-discrimination laws
• Disney has reportedly implemented racial quotas requiring 50% of characters to be from underrepresented groups
• The company has begun scaling back some DEI initiatives following criticism
• This marks the second major media company under FCC scrutiny for DEI practices after Comcast
FCC Takes Aim at Disney’s “Woke” Policies
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has officially opened an investigation into Walt Disney Company and its broadcast subsidiary ABC over their controversial diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The inquiry seeks to determine whether the entertainment giant has violated equal employment opportunity regulations through policies that critics say discriminate based on race, gender, and other protected characteristics.
In a letter addressed to Disney CEO Bob Iger, Carr expressed concerns about the company’s DEI initiatives, which allegedly include racially-segregated affinity groups and mandatory inclusion standards requiring half of regular characters to be from underrepresented groups. The Trump-appointed FCC Chairman aims to ensure Disney is complying with federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, or gender.
From American Icon to Controversy Magnet
“As you know, Disney started out a century ago as an iconic American company. For decades, Disney focused on churning out box office and programming successes. But then something changed. Disney now has been embroiled in rounds of controversy surrounding its DEI policies,” Carr wrote in his letter to Iger.
The investigation highlights growing skepticism about corporate DEI initiatives that many Republicans have criticized as “woke” policies that prioritize identity politics over merit. Disney has reportedly been adjusting its approach to diversity programs partly in response to conservative criticism and the looming threat of regulatory challenges.
Disney’s Damage Control Efforts
A Disney spokesperson confirmed the company has received the FCC’s letter and stated, “We look forward to engaging with the commission to answer its questions.” The entertainment giant has recently rolled back some of its more controversial DEI programs and altered performance evaluation criteria for executives in what appears to be damage control.
However, Carr noted that while Disney has softened some of its DEI rhetoric, “significant concerns remain” about the substance of their policies. The Chairman expressed skepticism about whether the changes represent genuine reforms or merely cosmetic adjustments designed to deflect criticism while continuing questionable practices.
The investigation comes on the heels of a similar inquiry into Comcast Corp.’s employee programs, marking Disney as the second major media company to face such scrutiny under Carr’s leadership. With Disney holding broadcast licenses for its local ABC affiliate stations, the stakes are high as the FCC oversees the approval of broadcast license sales and has the power to block mergers.
Critics have suggested that Disney’s focus on DEI has negatively impacted its box office performance and programming priorities in recent years. The controversy follows President Trump’s Executive Orders aimed at eliminating DEI programs in both government and private sectors, which has prompted many companies to reevaluate their diversity initiatives.
