The Walt Disney Company has unveiled several controversial changes this week, with several employees reportedly left feeling disappointed in its decisions.
Following President Donald Trump’s return to office last month, his administration has aggressively pursued policies aimed at dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Executive orders have defunded and banned DEI programs within the federal government, and media companies with similar policies are now facing legal scrutiny.
In response, several major corporations have begun scaling back their DEI commitments, and Disney is no exception. On Tuesday, the company issued a global memo announcing a restructured approach to DEI. The memo, authored by Disney’s chief human resources officer, Sonia Coleman, stated that Disney would be shifting its DEI programs to focus on “business goals and company values.”
Additionally, the “Reimagine Tomorrow” website, which was designed to amplify underrepresented voices, will be rebranded as “MyDisneyToday.” Coleman emphasized that the updated platform would prioritize attracting top talent and fostering an inclusive workplace. “We create entertainment that appeals to a global audience,” Coleman wrote. “And having a workforce that reflects the consumers we serve helps drive our business.”
Reports had previously indicated that Disney had already begun scaling back its DEI messaging. NPR found that the company’s 2024 annual report omitted previous references to “Reimagine Tomorrow.” The company has also quietly removed certain content warnings from its Disney+ streaming platform, signaling a broader shift in corporate priorities.
Disney Employees React to Policy Shifts
While Disney executives have framed these changes as a strategic evolution, internal pushback has been significant. Deadline reports that employees are disillusioned with the company’s direction under Iger’s leadership.
“It’s like Chapek on steroids!” one employee told Deadline, recalling the backlash Disney faced in 2022 when then-CEO Bob Chapek hesitated to condemn Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The employee expressed concern over Disney’s shifting priorities, stating, “What’s next? Where do we go from here? What do we stand for now, keeping MAGA happy? This is not what I expected from Bob — I thought he had our back.”
Insiders have also pointed out the contrast between Iger’s current leadership and his previous tenure as CEO. In 2018, Iger swiftly canceled the Roseanne revival following a racist tweet from Roseanne Barr and openly dismissed a Twitter attack by then-President Trump. Now, some employees feel that Disney is prioritizing conservative appeasement over firm corporate stances, which has affected both internal morale and relationships with creative talent.
Executives at Disney have pushed back on this perception, arguing that the company has been less reactive to Trump’s policies than other corporations such as Amazon and Google. However, concerns persist. For example, a transgender storyline was reportedly removed from the upcoming Disney+ series Win or Lose, a decision that some employees have cited as further evidence of the company “pandering to MAGA.”
Iger’s Legacy and the Path Forward
Iger returned as Disney’s CEO on November 20, 2022, after the company removed Chapek from the position. His initial comeback was met with optimism, as Iger had previously been a well-regarded leader who expanded Disney’s empire through major acquisitions.
However, the latest wave of changes has left employees and observers questioning whether his leadership is aligning with the values that once defined Disney.
How do you feel about the current state of The Walt Disney Company?
It’s supposed to be a magical place for kids of all ages but there is so much corporate junk going on and too many changes that there is NO Magic anymore.
I hope the people who oversee and make decisions come back to their senses. LOVE DISNEY but things need to go back to the way Walt meant for them to be. 😔
I fully agree with you. Hopefully they will not cave in to the small handful of people that want to dismantle Disney and turn into some woke garbage
100% AGREE. It’s About The Majority Of Your Customers. It’s Not About FRINGE GROUPS.
So, let’s look at the “values that once defined Disney” for what they really are. Walt Disney created these theme parks for FAMILIES to have fun and safe environments to bring their families. Disney has gotten away from that in recent years. Seeing them shift away from what they’ve been doing isn’t because they’re “pandering to MAGA”. Perhaps they’re finally realizing that the majority of the people who come to their theme parks (and therefore spend money) have historically been families, and they are trying to cater to those whom the parks were originally created for. That’s not to say everyone isn’t welcome, but the vast majority of those visiting Disney theme parks has always been families. Catering to anyone else is just simply not good business.
How About A SENIOR Day or WEEK. There Are a lot of us out here. From a middle BABY BOOMER.