Trump is Killing DEI in the U.S.—Is UK Publishing Next?
The U.S. Just Hit Delete on DEI. Should We Be Worried?
Trump is back, and one of his first orders of business? Wiping out Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the U.S. Federal diversity programmes? Gone. DEI jobs in government? Scrapped. The message is loud and clear: DEI is no longer welcome.
Now, you might be thinking, Okay, but that’s America. What’s that got to do with us?
Well, quite a lot, actually. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that what happens in the U.S. doesn’t just stay there. The UK loves to borrow trends from across the pond—fashion, TV, politics (for better or worse)—so should we be bracing for a DEI rollback in UK publishing?
Or will this industry prove that its commitment to diversity was more than just a PR exercise?
Will UK Publishers Quietly Pull Back?
Let’s be real—DEI in publishing has always been a bit of a balancing act. In the last few years, we’ve seen major progress: more diverse books getting published, more underrepresented authors breaking through, and more conversations about equity in the industry.
But let’s not pretend the work is done. Publishing is still overwhelmingly white at the top, diverse authors are still fighting for fair pay and visibility, and there’s always been an unspoken question hanging in the air: What happens when diversity stops being trendy?
Well, we’re about to find out.
With the U.S. pulling the plug on DEI, there’s a very real concern that UK publishers—especially those with U.S. ties—might start getting nervous. That they’ll:
- Sign fewer books from underrepresented authors (“The market just isn’t there anymore”—we’ve heard that before).
- Slash marketing budgets for diverse books, making it even harder for them to succeed.
- Play it safe when acquiring books, avoiding anything that could be considered “too political.”
Publishing has always been risk-averse. And if DEI is starting to look like a risk rather than a selling point, some publishers may start quietly backtracking.
This is a Test—Who’s Really Committed?
Here’s the deal: DEI in publishing has never been about ticking a box. It’s about reflecting the real world. The UK is a multicultural nation. Readers from all backgrounds want to see themselves in books. Diverse stories are not niche—they are necessary.
If UK publishers start scaling back diversity efforts now, what does that say about their commitment in the first place?
This is the moment where the industry has to make a choice:
- Keep signing and supporting underrepresented authors—because these books matter.
- Invest in marketing diverse books properly—not just putting them on a special list once a year but actually pushing them.
- Diversify leadership—because if decision-makers all look the same, nothing really changes.
Final Thought: Time to Show Up or Shut Up
The DEI conversation just got real. It’s easy to champion diversity when the world is watching. But now, when there’s political pressure, when there’s pushback, when it’s not the easiest or safest option—this is when we see who actually meant it.
So, UK publishing—what’s it going to be? A step backwards or a stand for real change? Because one thing’s for sure: we’re watching.
