Charlamagne tha God blasted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives, branding them as ‘mostly garbage’ and ‘bullsh*t’ during an appearance on The Daily Show.
On the episode aired Wednesday night, Charlamagne said: ‘The truth about DEI is that although it’s well-intentioned, it’s mostly garbage.’
Charlamagne showcased a series of advertisements from companies such as Microsoft, General Mills and Vaseline, promoting DEI initiatives which he labeled as mere ‘corporate PR.’
‘We don’t need corporate DEI,’ Charlamagne said. ‘Yes, we want diversity, equity, and inclusion, but we don’t want it from Vaseline.’
The 45-year-old African American delivered his critique of DEI following Jon Stewart‘s big return to the late-night show last month as a weekly host and executive producer throughout the presidential election cycle.
Charlamagne tha God blasted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives, branding them as ‘mostly garbage’ and ‘bullsh*t’ during an appearance on The Daily Show
In the viral clip, he showcased a series of advertisements from companies such as Microsoft , General Mills, and Vaseline, promoting DEI initiatives, as he slammed these programs as mere ‘corporate PR’
‘We don’t need corporate DEI,’ Charlamagne said. ‘Yes, we want diversity, equity, and inclusion, but we don’t want it from Vaseline’. Pictured: A DEI program ad by Vaseline
Charlamagne compared the DEI programs and initiatives to the black Little Mermaid Wednesday, saying: ‘Just because racists hate it, doesn’t mean it’s good.’
‘And you know, I’m right, because every one of you has sat through one of those diversity training sessions and thought this is some bullsh*t,’ he joked.
He then went on to assert that hundreds of studies have demonstrated that DEI programs are not effective in improving equality and combating racism.
‘And it’s not just you. Over 900 studies have shown that DEI programs don’t make the workplace better for minorities.
‘In fact, it can actually make things worse because of the backlash effect,’ he said.
‘The biggest failure of DEI is that the number of black people in power at big companies is basically the same as it was five years ago.
‘In fact, maybe the only thing that DEI has accomplished is giving racist white people cover to be openly racist,’ he said.
Charlamagne also took aim at Fox anchors bashing DEI initiatives as ‘a rebranded version of hating white people,’ and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis referring to DEI as ‘discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination.’
He mocked the conservative voices and accused them of racism as he said, ‘these right-wingers are crazy. Right? Jesus.’
Charlamagne concluded the remarks by saying: ‘Real DEI is only going to come from black leadership. I don’t know how to do it because I’m not a black leader, but I do know how to tell if it’s working — ‘
‘Just keep an eye on right-wing media, the more they’re freaking out, the more progress we’re making,’ he said.
The 45-year-old African American delivered his critique of DEI following Jon Stewart (pictured)’s big return to the late-night show last month as a weekly host and executive producer throughout the presidential election cycle
The clip has garnered overwhelming reactions on social media, amassing millions of views from users, including Tesla and X owner Elon Musk who reposted the video with an applauding emoji.
Charlamagne, radio host of Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, joined The Daily Show last December as the search for Trevor Noah‘s replacement continues.
The Paramount Global network has struggled finding a permanent host since Noah left The Daily Show in 2022 when its viewership declined dramatically.
Since his departure comedians such as Kal Penn, Charlamagne Tha God, Leslie Jones, Sarah Silverman and Marlon Wayans have rotated hosting the show.
Longtime The Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. departed the show in October because he wasn’t considered for the full-time hosting job.
During the Emmy awards last year, Wood was caught mouthing a subtle message as Noah accepted an award.
Lip-readers realized that as Wood stood next to South Africa-born Noah accepting the Emmy, he was mouthing the phrase: ‘Please hire a host.’
Stewart hosted The Daily Show for 16 years until he handed it over to Trevor Noah in 2015
The Daily Show has not had a permanent host since Trevor Noah left in 2022 when its viewership declined dramatically
Wood confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter: ‘I was saying, «Please hire a host.» I probably shouldn’t have done it, but this has been going on too long. Get it together!…But I’m so happy that [Noah] won.’
Hasan Minhaj was reportedly a top contender to replace Noah, but was taken out of the running when the New Yorker published an interview where he admitted to fabricating many of his stories.
Minhaj hit back and said the claims were ‘needlessly misleading’ and promised he is ‘not a psycho.’
In October, Apple cancelled Stewart’s follow-up to The Daily Show, The Problem with Jon Stewart.
The weekly series touted itself on taking a deep dive into important issues through interviews and discussion.
However, the show was blasted as dull and stuck in the past by critics who said it didn’t make them laugh once, and that it harks back too much to his old Daily Show.
The show only briefly made headlines for an episode where Stewart issued a formal apology for old jokes of his that mocked transgender people.
