Story perspectives

Ex-DOGE Staffer Confuses DEI Criteria in Lawsuit Testimony

3/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

In a deposition, Justin Fox, former DOGE staffer, struggled to define DEI.
Fox admitted using ChatGPT to identify DEI grants but could not articulate criteria.
The lawsuit, brought by the Modern Language Association and others, claims DOGE led by Elon Musk used flawed methods to cut 1,400 National Endowment for the Humanities grants.
Fox's testimony showed confusion over how projects were deemed DEI, including a documentary on female Holocaust survivors.

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Story summary

In a deposition, Justin Fox, former DOGE staffer, struggled to define DEI.
Fox admitted using ChatGPT to identify DEI grants but could not articulate criteria.
The lawsuit, brought by the Modern Language Association and others, claims DOGE led by Elon Musk used flawed methods to cut 1,400 National Endowment for the Humanities grants.
Fox's testimony showed confusion over how projects were deemed DEI, including a documentary on female Holocaust survivors.