NEW YORK, May 5 (Reuters) – The New York Times was sued on Tuesday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which accused the newspaper of passing over a white man for a top editorial role in favor of a less-qualified candidate to meet diversity goals.
In a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, the EEOC said the Times discriminated against the male candidate based on his race or sex, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Times did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tuesday’s reverse discrimination lawsuit reflects the EEOC’s new approach to employment cases as it aligns itself with U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.
Trump has attacked so-called diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in business, and soon after beginning his second White House term issued executive orders to end DEI in the federal government.
The Republican president is also suing the Times in a $15 billion defamation lawsuit, accusing it of trying to sabotage his 2024 election campaign and disparage his reputation as a successful businessman.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, Editing by Franklin Paul and Nia Williams)
