Source: JC Olivera / Getty
Jamie Foxx had some words about the Trump administration’s anti-DEI policies and rhetoric during an interview.
The federal government under President Donald Trump has been virulently against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies (DEI) since he took office. Many are upset and vocal about those attacks, including Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx. Foxx voiced his opinion in an interview with Essence at the purple carpet premiere for a new documentary by Apple+, Number One on The Call Sheet.
Why not?!
Our power and impact influence the masses. We caught up with Jamie Foxx on the purple carpet for AppleTV +’s “Number One On The Call Sheet,” he told us just how Barack Obama changed his perception of himself. pic.twitter.com/w2K11oBkUX
— ESSENCE (@Essence) March 13, 2025
Foxx expressed shock over the rhetoric, seeing as how everyone loves what the Black community offers the world. “Stop playing with us,” continued Foxx. “All that DEI goofiness you talking about man, stop playing. Give us our props. Stop messing with our history. The more you erase, the more we replace. I don’t get why they so mad at us.” He then spoke about how former President Barack Obama’s presence and actions while in office made him take more pride in being Black.
“Somebody said why does it have to be ‘Black excellence’? Why not? Why not…perception is everything,” Foxx said. “You know what [Obama] did for me? He changed my perception because when I would travel the world, the world had a different perception of me as a Black man.” He then went into a quick impression of former President Obama. “They love what we do. I know y’all out there b—ng right now. Y’all love us, y’all love our music,” Foxx concluded. “If y’all talking about DEI then give some of our stuff back, like our R&B. Stop playing with us. Stop singing like us, stop dancing like us. Give us our s—t back. Nah, I’m just kidding.”
The attacks on DEI have been a constant by the Trump administration through executive orders. One recent example is the White House’s refusal to send storm relief aid to Asheville, North Carolina, due to one line in the funding plan, which read: “prioritize assistance for Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWBE) within the scoring criteria outlined within the policies and procedures.” The move was confirmed by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, who said in a statement: “Once again, let me be clear DEI is dead at HUD. We will not provide funding to any program or grantee that does not comply with President Trump’s executive orders.”