• by Tanya Gazdik , August 19, 2024

Harley-Davidson is the latest company to backtrack from progressive initiatives after pressure from an anti-DEI critic whose efforts were amplified by Elon Musk and other right-wing leaders. 

The company “faced pressure online from Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist who has successfully taken on DEI policies at several American companies," according to CNN Business. “On X Monday, Starbuck called it a ‘win for our movement’ and hinted that he would target another company.” 

Harley-Davidson stated “we have not operated a DEI function since April 2024, and we do not have a DEI function today. We do not have hiring quotas and we no longer have supplier diversity spend goals.”

The company also said it would end its relationship with the Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

“The Milwaukee-based company on Monday said that it no longer has minority-owned supplier spending goals, will drop socially motivated training for employees and make other changes to back away from diversity programs,” according to Bloomberg.  "The motorcycle maker said in an email to staff on July 26 that had begun a review of its 'stakeholder and outreach activities' earlier this year, before Starbuck began targeting the manufacturer.”

The company on Monday said the changes that it made were the result of that review.

“We are saddened by the negativity on social media over the last few weeks, designed to divide the Harley-Davidson community,” the company wrote in a statement posted on X. “We remain committed to listening to all members of our community.”

The iconic motorcycle brand follows John Deere & Co. and Tractor Supply Company, which both made similar decisions to scratch their diversity programs earlier this summer. 

“The decision illustrates the growing pressure on companies to shelve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives,”  according to CBS News.   “Some conservative activists are questioning the efficacy and fairness of policies aimed at making organizations more diverse and inclusive.”

Starbuck has told the Associated Press he stands against hiring decisions based on race, as well as DEI initiatives and policies that he believes weave social issues and politics into a company's culture.