American companies face a critical choice. In the wake of deepening polarization and social turmoil, they can continue aligning themselves with ideological radicalism that divides communities and undermines trust, or they can return to the principles that sparked prosperity and unity: merit, fairness, and shareholder value.
That’s the message behind a new campaign calling on 1,000 CEOs to reject corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates and recommit to running businesses that serve their real stakeholders — shareholders, employees, customers, and the broader public good.
The initiative stands in sharp contrast to the Business Roundtable’s 2019 letter, which embraced “stakeholder capitalism” and gave corporate leaders cover to pursue political agendas under the guise of social responsibility. Moving forward, the initiative calls for enterprise growth strategies rooted in accountability, innovation, and measurable results.
The results of that shift have been damaging. Far from delivering on promises of fairness and opportunity, DEI has bred division within companies and across society. It privileges some groups at the expense of others, creating resentment, demoralization, and hostility. Instead of building unity in the workplace, DEI fosters an “oppressed versus oppressor” mindset that bleeds into the broader culture — encouraging Americans to see each other as enemies rather than fellow citizens.
The consequences are no longer abstract. The horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University underscored how toxic ideologies can radicalize individuals and corrode civic life. While corporate DEI policies aren’t directly responsible, they have normalized the frameworks that encourage hostility toward dissenting views.
The public celebrations of Kirk’s death — and the cruel mockery of his family’s grief — show just how deeply this divisive ideology has poisoned our discourse.
Some companies have pushed back, firing employees who crossed the line. But those isolated actions don’t change the bigger picture: as long as businesses embrace DEI, they fuel suspicion that poor decisions and cultural missteps stem from ideological capture. The “get woke, go broke” cautionary tales of Bud Light, Target, Jaguar, and Cracker Barrel reveal the costs of chasing activist approval at the expense of loyal customers and shareholder trust.
1792 Exchange is urging companies to take a different path:
• End failed DEI policies and disavowed activist groups that use corporate contributions to radicalize and divide.
• Recommit to serving customers, employees, shareholders, and the American public.
• Respect the worth and dignity of every employee equally.
• Condemn celebrations of violence, and foster civility and unity in the workplace.
The choice before corporate America is clear. Companies can continue down the ideological path of division and decline, or they can return to the business of creating jobs, generating value, and contributing to national prosperity.
The turning point is now.
It’s time to get back to business.
Douglas Napier is the Executive Chairman of 1792 Exchange.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
(Featured Image Media Credit: August Miller, UVU Marketing)
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