Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas is urging the complete and permanent elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ideology, arguing that people should be judged solely on merit rather than appearance or identity.
In a post on X, the Army veteran said he wants his achievements to be measured by effort and performance, not by demographic factors.
“DEI should be abolished, permanently. I never want to be chosen, promoted, or rewarded because of how I look,” Hunt wrote. “I want to earn every opportunity on merit, through hard work, grit, discipline, and determination.”
He added that true equality is rooted in consistent standards, not predetermined outcomes.
“Equality means equal standards, not engineered outcomes. The dignity of achievement comes from effort, not entitlement,” Hunt said. “Judge me by my character, my competence, and my results. Anything less is an insult to everyone striving to be their best.”
The comments drew support from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who shared Hunt’s post and praised the message.
“And this is how anyone of honor should be!” Musk wrote.
Hunt has repeatedly criticized DEI initiatives in the past. In a May 2025 post on X, he said such programs undermine the values on which the country was built.
“America was built on merit, grit, determination, and hard work—not skin color, quotas, or political games,” Hunt wrote at the time. “The promise of this nation is simple: we rise by the strength of our character, not the shade of our skin.”
Hunt has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023 and is now running for the U.S. Senate. He is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who is seeking re-election. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is also competing in the Republican primary to unseat Cornyn.
