Media Company VP Takes Leave Of Absence After Video
James O’Keefe released his latest undercover report yesterday, featuring a senior VP at Disney, Michael Giordano, who inadvertently revealed details about the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring practices during a date set up through an online service.
Giordano, speaking candidly with his date—who was actually working for O’Keefe—discussed how he had applied for numerous jobs during his 11-year tenure at Disney but often saw less experienced, more diverse candidates get promoted. According to Giordano, a friend in HR confided, “Look, nobody else is going to tell you this, Mike, but they’re not considering any white males for this job. They just aren’t.”
Giordano also shared a story about a mixed-race candidate who missed out on a promotion because he didn’t visibly appear half-black, which a creative executive at the company implied was essential for the role. The executive reportedly indicated that the candidate’s appearance was not what was desired for meetings.
BREAKING: Senior Vice President at The Walt Disney Company details discriminatory hiring practices: “Nobody else is going to tell you this, but they’re not considering any white males for the job,” says Michael Giordano, a Vice President of Business affairs, “there’s no way we’re… pic.twitter.com/IMOsFOLKro
— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) June 20, 2024
Regarding casting for TV projects, Giordano suggested that while Disney was cautious about overt statements, coded language often hinted at the preference for diversity. Phrases like “something other than the usual suspects” were used, and sometimes it was more direct, such as stating, “There’s no way we’re hiring a white male.” Giordano predicted potential lawsuits over these practices.
O’Keefe’s full report, dubbed the first of “The Disney Tapes,” sheds light on practices that the company would likely deny if asked.
It highlights the extent of DEI initiatives that, according to O’Keefe, border on illegal racial discrimination. This type of story, O’Keefe argues, is generally overlooked by mainstream media due to their alignment with similar progressive agendas.
Giordano, now reportedly on leave and having deleted his LinkedIn account, faces uncertain job security. It’s likely he might be quietly fired for his comments. Giordano’s situation echoes that of other individuals who faced backlash for speaking out, such as Bret Weinstein, Peter Boghossian, and Jordan Peterson. However, unlike those who chose to publicly voice their opinions, Giordano’s candidness was a private conversation, not a public declaration.
The probable outcome for Giordano is termination, reinforcing a culture of silence regarding progressive policies within Disney. This unspoken rule ensures that employees are aware of the consequences of discussing the company’s internal practices openly.