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Laverne Cox Says Trump DEI Attack Cuts Income 90%

6/16/2026

Summary

Cox Income Slashed

Laverne Cox said U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on DEI programs have cut her income by 90 percent.
She said speaking gigs have dried up and corporations fear the administration’s punitive stance on DEI.
She reported that hosting contracts ended and she has had to dip into her retirement savings.
Cox noted that Guardian reported her loss and she released her memoir “Transcendent” on June 9, saying she feels worthy.

Summary

Trump Bans DEI

President Donald Trump signed January 2025 orders defining sex as male-female and banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in federal agencies.
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint urged stripping gender-related language from laws and policies.
The order barred transgender girls and women from women’s sports and barred trans people from the military.
The administration warned it would defund colleges that promote gender ideology or DEI, which Cox says scapegoats trans people.

Summary

Cox Steps Down

Laverne Cox announced she will not return as host of E! Live From the Red Carpet in January 2025.
She posted a reel of past red-carpet moments and thanked viewers.
Cox starred in Jonah Hill’s Apple comedy “Outcome,” which premiered in April 2026, her first major screen role after losing corporate speaking gigs.
Entertainment analysts say her high-profile visibility challenges the administration’s attempts to silence trans representation.

Summary

Trans Advocate Speaks

She says speaking truth is essential for her mental and spiritual health, leaving her empowered.
She cites the Dylan Mulvaney/Bud Light partnership, Target Pride merchandise, bans on gender-affirming care for youth, and exclusion of trans girls from sports as moments that turned culture war against trans visibility and intensified hostility.
She describes Project 2025 as a blueprint to strip gender language from laws while filming the comedy “Soapbox” about culture wars.

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Cox Income Slashed

Laverne Cox said U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on DEI programs have cut her income by 90 percent.
She said speaking gigs have dried up and corporations fear the administration’s punitive stance on DEI.
She reported that hosting contracts ended and she has had to dip into her retirement savings.
Cox noted that Guardian reported her loss and she released her memoir “Transcendent” on June 9, saying she feels worthy.

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