100 Days of Trump (Part 1)… Is Trump winning his war on woke?

Apr 29, 2025

Dive into the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency as he redefines American workplace policies. The discussion centers on Trump’s bold stance against diversity initiatives, questioning their relevance and impact. Corporate giants like Walmart rethink their DEI strategies, raising eyebrows about accountability and values. Explore heated debates around meritocracy, social media's influence, and the weight of 'woke' culture in everyday life, sprinkled with humor to keep things engaging.

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ANECDOTE

Walmart Cuts DEI Programs Abruptly

Walmart invested millions in DEI programs after 2020's Black Lives Matter protests.
They cut these programs suddenly without consulting longtime partners, causing dismay.

INSIGHT

Pushback Against Diversity Programs

Many companies are rolling back diversity programs, claiming these are not level playing fields.
Trump’s administration highlights that people want hiring based on skill, not group identity, which resonates with many Americans.

INSIGHT

DEI Surge Fueled by BLM Protests

DEI programs surged after George Floyd's death and BLM protests sparked wider racism conversations.
Some companies’ actions were reactive to political moods and public pressure, not fully thought through.

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This is a special Americast mini series, looking at five ways Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days back, as President of the United States.

In this first episode, Matt Chorley joins Justin and Marianna to discuss Trump’s declaration that America will be “WOKE no longer…whether you are a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer or an air traffic controller, you should be hired and promoted based on skill and competence, not race or gender.” We look at why private companies have dismantled their diversity and equity programmes, particularly as they were implemented to counter institutional racism and discrimination. Does the United States need DEI?

HOSTS: • Matt Chorley, Radio 5 Live presenter • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni and Marie Lennon, with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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