Like many private companies, Nike has implemented diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its workplace. The Trump Administration has long been a vocal critic of such policies.

On the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order, titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.“

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently disclosed it's investigating Nike for “systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination” against white workers.

Nike does have regional ties – with headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. But... this is Nike: “Just Do It” and Air Jordans. We’re talking about a global entity, and this investigation could have wide ranging implications for employment practices nationwide.

Guests: 
Rebecca Davis O'Brien, a labor reporter at The New York Times

Related links: 
EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against NIKE | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Nike, Accused of Bias Against White Workers, Is Under Federal Investigation - The New York Times
What to Know About the Federal Investigation Into Nike - The New York Times
Nike and Trump’s Supporters Have Been on a Collision Course for Years - The New York Times

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Like many private companies, Nike has implemented diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its workplace. The Trump Administration has long been a vocal critic of such policies.
On the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/">first day of his second term</a>, President Trump signed an executive order, titled &ldquo;Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.&ldquo;
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently disclosed it's investigating Nike for &ldquo;systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination&rdquo; against white workers.
Nike does have regional ties &ndash; with <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/company">headquarters</a> in Beaverton, Oregon. But... this is Nike: &ldquo;Just Do It&rdquo; and Air Jordans. We&rsquo;re talking about a global entity, and this investigation could have wide ranging implications for employment practices nationwide.
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Rebecca Davis O'Brien, a labor reporter at The New York Times</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-files-subpoena-enforcement-action-against-nike">EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against NIKE | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/eeoc-nike-white-employee-discrimination.html?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur">Nike, Accused of Bias Against White Workers, Is Under Federal Investigation - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000010692316/donald-trump-discrimination-nike.html">What to Know About the Federal Investigation Into Nike - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/business/nike-and-trumps-supporters-have-been-on-a-collision-course-for-years.html">Nike and Trump&rsquo;s Supporters Have Been on a Collision Course for Years - The New York Times</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

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The EEOC disclosed it is investigating the company, which is headquartered in Oregon, for “systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination” against white workers. 