Bob Iger is at the center of growing backlash as employees speak out against changes within The Walt Disney Company.
Not even a month into President Donald Trump’s second term in the Oval Office, his administration has aggressively pursued policies 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. This includes Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS and an investigation into Comcast’s practices, framed as an effort to combat “the scourge of DEI.”
In response, several major corporations have begun scaling back their DEI commitments, and Disney is no exception. On Tuesday, a company-wide memo confirmed a shift in Disney’s DEI programs to align with “business goals and company values.”
The memo, written by Disney’s chief human resources officer, Sonia Coleman, stated that the “Reimagine Tomorrow” website would be rebranded as “MyDisneyToday.” The updated platform will focus on 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 indicate that Disney had already begun rolling 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 Speak Out Against Bob Iger
While Disney executives frame these changes as a strategic evolution, internal pushback has been significant. Deadline reports that employees are frustrated 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.”
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 – such as Marvel Studios and 21st Century Fox – and oversaw the opening of Shanghai Disneyland.
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 recent changes within The Walt Disney Company?
Many argue that those values never defined and should never define Disney.