Black Journalists Hit Hard as Media Layoffs Follow Trump's DEI Criticism

Several Black and Latino journalists say they have recently been laid off from major U.S. media companies. They question if this is connected to a growing political movement against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Former employees from CBS, NBC, and Teen Vogue shared their experiences. Trey Sherman was on the New York subway when he got an email. It was from a CBS News executive, David Reiter, about a sudden meeting on October 29. Sherman, then an associate producer, suspected he was about to lose his job. His suspicion was correct. Sherman was laid off. Reiter explained that Sherman's show, "CBS Evening News Plus," was being eliminated. He said he could not move Sherman's team to other roles. Sherman, who is Black, says the conversation with Reiter, who is white, was polite. They wished each other well. The layoffs at CBS follow a major corporate merger. Paramount, CBS’s parent company, merged with Skydance in August. The company then announced plans to cut over 2,000 jobs. The journalists of color who were let go wonder if their race played a role. They note their departures happened as former President Donald Trump and his supporters increasingly criticize DEI efforts. DEI programs aim to create more diverse workplaces. For these journalists, the timing feels significant. "It's not a coincidence," one said.