Big Consulting Bosses Meet With Trump Officials to Save Contracts

In an effort to maintain their lucrative government contracts, top executives from major consulting firms have been engaging with Trump administration officials, according to sources familiar with the matter. The consulting industry, which includes giants like Deloitte, McKinsey, and Accenture, has been grappling with the Trump administration's stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, leading to concerns about potential revenue loss.



Deloitte, one of the Big Four accounting firms and the largest accounting and business consulting firm in the world, has informed its staff that it is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The move comes as the new Trump administration is taking a stand against these initiatives, which are common in many private and public sector organizations. Although Deloitte is headquartered in London, it has a significant presence in the U.S., employing 170,000 staff across 136 offices. The firm reported $67.2 billion in revenue in 2024 and had about $3 billion in contracts with the U.S. government in 2024, including the departments of Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security.

Businesses contracting with the federal government may risk those revenues if they disregard the administration’s DEI concerns. In response to this, Deloitte has directed its staff in the Government & Public Services division to no longer include pronouns in their email signatures, aligning with emerging government client practices and requirements. The firm has also sunset its workforce and business aspirational diversity goals, its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Transparency Report, and its DEI programming.

The memo, which was distributed by email to staff last week, was obtained by the San Francisco Standard. It stated, "We will sunset our workforce and business aspirational diversity goals, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Transparency Report, and our DEI programming." The email also mentioned that these changes were initiated after a detailed review of all pertinent government directives to ensure compliance with their requirements, both as a private enterprise and as a government contractor.

The Trump administration's focus on cost-cutting and reducing waste in government spending has led to concerns among consulting firms about potential revenue loss. By aligning their practices with the administration's priorities, these firms aim to maintain their contracts and avoid any potential harm to their businesses. However, the decision to end DEI programs has faced backlash from employees and external stakeholders, raising questions about the firms' commitment to diversity and inclusion.

As the Trump administration continues to take executive actions, consulting firms will likely need to navigate the changing political landscape and adapt their strategies to maintain their contracts with the federal government. The outcome of these efforts will have significant implications for the consulting industry and the broader business community.