Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has removed the “he/him” pronouns from his social media profiles, a quiet but notable shift in his public presentation.
The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of identity politics, which have played a significant role in Democratic messaging in recent years.
Elsewhere, companies have taken steps to reduce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and other well-known politicians, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have removed theirs from public profiles.
In 2019, Buttigieg prominently displayed his pronouns, aligning with a broader push among Democratic politicians to emphasize gender identity in their public personas.
However, as debates over gender politics and DEI initiatives continue to evolve, his recent change suggests a recalibration of strategy.
His decision also coincides with speculation about a potential Senate run in Michigan. As major corporations scale back DEI programs—citing legal challenges and shifting public sentiment—political figures may also be rethinking their associations with certain social policies.
Companies such as Target, Amazon, and Walmart have begun reducing their DEI efforts, while President Donald Trump has taken steps to eliminate such programs at the federal level.
Meanwhile, the City of Dallas continues to expand its DEI funding, even amid budget constraints.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the budget for its Office of Equity and Inclusion increased from $2.47 million in 2021 to $3.78 million in 2024, with a planned slight reduction to $3.46 million in 2025—still nearly $1 million more than its initial allocation.
These continued investments contrast with the trend seen in the private sector and federal government, where DEI programs are being re-evaluated.
Buttigieg’s profile update may signal a broader shift in political positioning as discussions around identity politics evolve. Whether this reflects a deeper change in policy priorities or a response to electoral considerations remains to be seen.