A nationwide protest is gaining momentum as the McDonald’s Boycott 2025 officially begins today. Sparked by public outrage over the fast-food giant’s rollback of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, this boycott is the latest chapter in an escalating battle between corporate America and consumer activism.
Led by grassroots advocacy group The People’s Union USA, the boycott aims to hold McDonald’s accountable for what organizers call a betrayal of social responsibility. Protesters argue that by scaling back its DEI commitments, McDonald’s is prioritizing profit over people.
Why the McDonald’s Boycott 2025 Is Making Headlines
The McDonald’s Boycott 2025 is not just a fleeting trend—it’s part of a broader wave of consumer resistance against companies accused of abandoning social justice commitments. The protest was sparked after McDonald’s ended programs designed to increase diversity in senior leadership and canceled initiatives that supported supplier diversity.
Citing an “evolving DEI landscape,” the company halted key benchmarks and quietly revised internal language around inclusion. While McDonald’s insists that the core of its DEI programming remains unchanged, activists and advocacy groups argue otherwise.
At a recent HR leadership summit, Jordan Nunn, McDonald’s Chief People Officer for the U.S. market, said, “We’ve adjusted some of our DEI language, but fundamentally, none of our programming has changed.” However, critics claim these statements fail to match the lived experiences of marginalized employees and communities.
Who Is Behind the Boycott?
The boycott is being spearheaded by John Schwartz and The People’s Union USA, a national consumer advocacy organization known for launching “economic blackouts.” Their mission: to apply pressure on corporations they believe have abandoned their ethical obligations in pursuit of financial gain.
In an exclusive statement to USA Today, Schwartz said, “We’re boycotting McDonald’s because they’ve repeatedly shown that profits matter more than people—from price hikes to wage gaps, from tax evasion to performative advertising. And yes, their DEI efforts seem more like PR stunts than real systemic change.”
The Bigger Picture: DEI Under Political Pressure
The McDonald’s Boycott 2025 takes place in a politically charged environment. Since the 2024 election, DEI programs have come under fire, especially following President Donald Trump’s return to office. Through multiple executive orders, his administration has attempted to eliminate what it calls “illegal DEI” practices from federal agencies and private companies.
Activists on both sides of the argument have gained confidence as a result of this political change. DEI supporters, particularly in Democratic circles, now view consumer action as a frontline defense against systemic rollbacks.
Economic Impacts and Corporate Silence
The boycott couldn’t come at a worse time for McDonald’s. The company recently reported a sharp decline in U.S. sales during Q1 2025—its largest drop since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts attribute the slump to rising menu prices, shifting consumer sentiment, and growing discontent over its social policies.
Despite multiple media inquiries, McDonald’s has not issued a formal response regarding the boycott.
Meanwhile, data from Placer.ai shows a steady drop in foot traffic to McDonald’s locations across the country. If the McDonald’s Boycott 2025 gains more traction, it could pose long-term reputational risks.
What’s Next? More Boycotts Ahead
The People’s Union distributed fliers stating that the boycott is only the first step. The group has announced a series of protests targeting other corporate giants, including:
- July 4: National Economic Blackout
- July 1–31: Boycott of Starbucks, Amazon, and Home Depot
- August 1–31: Boycott of Walmart, McDonald’s, and Lowe’s
Organizers are urging consumers to withhold spending from companies they believe have “abandoned integrity for convenience.”
