U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accused of Leading Woke Corporate America Amid Trump-Era DEI Rollbacks
Conservatives' Consumers' Research published a Woke Alert accusing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, led by executive director Will Hild, of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments, and a left-wing climate agenda. The alert argues that the Chamber has become a major force behind woke corporate America.
The Chamber had launched its Equality of Opportunity Initiative in June 2020 following George Floyd's death. A 2021 video documented this effort, and a 2022 impact report claimed $8.1 million in race-based grants were distributed to 1,414 Black-owned small businesses across 42 states. The Chamber’s public statements frame diversity as a strength, asserting that embracing diverse perspectives enhances value, service, and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has issued executive orders aiming to dismantle DEI programs throughout the federal government, terminate equity-focused grants, and eliminate affirmative-action-style requirements for federal contractors, signaling a broader rollback of such initiatives. The Chamber attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2025, whereas the federal government did not send a delegation; California Governor Gavin Newsom attended on the federal government's behalf, highlighting differing approaches to climate policy.
Consumers' Research supports the Litigation Transparency Act of 2025, which would require disclosure of identities of parties receiving payment in lawsuits. The group has also used litigation finance to counter ESG and DEI policies. Critics, including Stephen Waguespack of the Institute for Legal Reform, accuse the Chamber of aligning with trial lawyers and argue that litigation finance leads to higher costs for American families.
