Fox News Host Greg Gutfeld Blames DEI Initiatives for Inflation Amid Tariff Defense

On an episode of Fox News' program "The Five," host Greg Gutfeld took aim at critics of former President Donald Trump's trade policies. Amid growing concerns from economists about recession fears and market instability associated with tariff escalations, Gutfeld argued that tariffs should not be considered taxes if consumers simply choose not to purchase the affected goods. Fellow panelist Judge Jeanine Pirro similarly spoke optimistically about Trump's tariff approach, citing short-term drops in gas prices and eggs as evidence that the negative economic predictions have been overstated.

Gutfeld went further, shifting blame from tariffs and economic policies to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He contended that DEI programs, particularly government and corporate diversity hiring practices, were the authentic culprits behind rising inflation. His provocative claims included linking increased government spending and expanding bureaucracy around DEI to the devaluation of currency and higher consumer costs.

Fellow panelist Jesse Watters joined the discussion by criticizing international trade partners like Japan, which imposes significant tariffs on American agricultural products such as rice. Watters suggested that eliminating foreign tariffs would substantially benefit American farmers, further echoing the panel's general support of U.S. protectionist trade stances.

Within conservative media circles, other figures have echoed similar sentiments, framing diversity and inclusion measures as threats to American economic stability and social fabric. Fox News host Will Cain has previously gone as far as saying that DEI programs could "kill America" and are a figurative cancer, intensifying rhetoric connecting diversity efforts with broader societal and economic crises.