Disney's ongoing scrutiny aligns with a broader crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts by the Trump administration, which has extended its reach to multinational companies connected to the US government. A recent letter from the American embassy in France urged French firms with US contracts to adhere to new regulations, a sign of the administration's expansive scope regarding DEI policies.

Chairman Carr's letter to Disney CEO Robert Iger emphasized the need to ensure that all of the company's initiatives align with FCC regulations and do not involve any discriminatory practices. The inquiry comes on the heels of previous scrutiny faced by Disney, including a defamation settlement with Donald Trump and conflicts with Florida's governor due to its stance on LGBTQ+ issues.

As the FCC expands its investigations to include major media firms and tech giants, this marks another significant chapter in the contentious discourse surrounding DEI policies in the United States, which some conservative voices have criticized as "woke."