Shortly after taking office, Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders reversing several policies established by the Biden administration on gender and diversity.
These moves align with campaign promises to address what Trump and his allies have called “woke culture” in government and society.
Trump rescinded directives aimed at preventing discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation and promoting racial equity and support for underserved communities.
Additionally, he signed an order recognizing only two genders—male and female—and asserting they cannot be changed.
“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 stated during his inaugural address.
An administration official noted that one executive order seeks to “end DEI inside the federal government,” terminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiating a review of offices renamed under DEI initiatives.
Major U.S. corporations, such as McDonald’s, Walmart, and Meta, have reduced or eliminated DEI initiatives since Trump’s election, though companies like Apple, Target, and Costco have defended their programs.
Supporters of DEI argue such initiatives address systemic discrimination based on race, gender, and other characteristics.
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The conversation around diversity policies has shifted significantly since 2023, when the U.S. Supreme Court restricted affirmative action in university admissions, a policy designed to mitigate racial and ethnic disparities in higher education.
Trump’s policies have drawn criticism from proponents of transgender rights. His campaign platform, Project 47, emphasized cutting funding for “radical gender ideology” and restricting transgender athletes’ participation in sports aligned with their gender identity, citing potential harm to women’s sports programs.
The administration has also pushed for bans on certain medical treatments for transgender minors.
One notable Trump campaign advertisement framed the 2024 election as a battle of ideologies, claiming his opponent, Kamala Harris, was “for they/them” while Trump stood “for you.”
The executive order recognizing only two genders has raised concerns among global health experts. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that rigid gender norms can harm individuals with diverse gender identities, potentially leading to stigma, discrimination, and adverse health outcomes.
Trump also signed an executive order on Monday to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO, further underscoring his administration’s policy direction.
