In a stunning move, Donald Trump’s new announcement about cracking down on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives has sparked furious debate across the country.
Many Americans are accusing Trump of trying to pay “reparations” to whites who feel they’ve been victims of so-called “reverse discrimination” in education. In a newly released video that sent social media into a tailspin, Trump proposed a framework of fines for schools and colleges offering curriculum rooted in DEI. In turn, he plans to use the money from the fines for a restitution fund available to compensate civil cases brought by victims of DEI.
“Tuition costs at colleges and universities have been exploding, and I mean absolutely exploding,” Donald Trump said in part. “While academics have been obsessed with indoctrinating America’s youth, the time has come to reclaim our once-great educational institutions from the radical left, and we will do that. Our secret weapon will be the college accreditation system.
He continued, pointing fingers at what he called “radical left accreditors” allowing “anti-American” and “Marxist” ideologies to run rampant on campuses. He doubled down on his disdain for DEI programs, which he claims only serve to “indoctrinate” young minds while adding unnecessary costs to higher education. Trump vowed to turn the tables by making the college accreditation system his “secret weapon,” in targeting institutions that promote DEI policies.
Trump announces reparations for white people. He says he will ask the Justice Department to penalize colleges that consider diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and fine them so he can pay “restitution” to white people who he considers the real victims of racial discrimination. pic.twitter.com/69sFbAz3rF
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) November 12, 2024
The controversial proposal doesn’t end there. Trump added he would enlist the Department of Justice to pursue civil rights actions against institutions he claims practice “racial discrimination” under the guise of equity policies. The plan would authorize heavy fines or even reductions in endowments, creating what some say is an unprecedented war on DEI in education. And while Trump stopped short of directly calling it “reparations,” the subtext was enough to spark widespread backlash.
One critic posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Trump is about to pay reparations to white people who have suffered ‘racial discrimination’ due to ‘diversity initiatives.’ This is exactly why ideas such as ‘Black people can be racist toward Whites’ have to be shut down. They’re about to institutionalize that.”
Another user chimed in, writing, “Trump announces reparations for white people. He says he will ask the Justice Department to penalize colleges that consider diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and fine them so he can pay ‘restitution’ to white people who he considers the real victims of racial discrimination.”
This move aligns Trump with other GOP leaders targeting DEI initiatives. Just recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that similarly clamps down on DEI programs in public schools and universities across the state. A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) curriculum is an educational framework designed to promote awareness, understanding, and respect for diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. It aims to create inclusive learning environments where all students feel valued and supported, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or other aspects of identity. A DEI curriculum typically includes lessons and discussions on social justice, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, encouraging students to be critical thinkers and compassionate community members. This kind of curriculum may also cover topics like historical inequities, privilege, unconscious bias, and strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces and communities.
Watch the video in the post above to see Trump’s full address on his plans for fines and restitution.