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Laverne Cox Loses 90% Income After Trump DEI Ban

6/16/2026

23 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Cox Faces Cuts

After U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration defined sex as binary and banned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in January 2025, actress Laverne Cox says she lost 90% of her income.
She lost corporate speaking gigs, university teaching contracts, and her three-year E! Live From the Red Carpet hosting role.
Cox warned the attacks could harm other trans people and said Project 2025 aims to strip gender, LGBTQ and DEI terms from laws.

Summary

Cox Reveals Struggle

Cox revealed she has been withdrawing from her retirement savings to cover living costs after her income collapsed.
She chose to speak out for her mental health despite initially considering silence to avoid professional losses.
In a Guardian interview on June 15, 2026, Cox questioned how the financial hit affects less-privileged trans individuals.
She said writing her memoir “Transcendent” gave her a renewed sense of worthiness.

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Cox Faces Cuts

After U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration defined sex as binary and banned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in January 2025, actress Laverne Cox says she lost 90% of her income.
She lost corporate speaking gigs, university teaching contracts, and her three-year E! Live From the Red Carpet hosting role.
Cox warned the attacks could harm other trans people and said Project 2025 aims to strip gender, LGBTQ and DEI terms from laws.

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