Report: Michigan State cancels Lunar New Year celebration, citing Trump’s war on DEI

Michigan State University reportedly scrapped an annual Lunar New Year event in light of Trump administration executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

MSU’s The State News, a student run newspaper, reported that the Lunar New Year event was scheduled to commence last Wednesday until an email sent by the college’s DEI director Lauren Gaines canceled the celebration due to “concerns” in the community.

“This decision comes in response to concerns shared by members of our community regarding the current issuance of Executive Orders related to immigration and diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the email reads. “These actions have prompted feelings of uncertainty and hesitation about gathering for events that highlight cultural traditions and communities.”

The Lunar New Year is a cultural celebration marking the arrival of spring and the start of the year in the traditional Chinese calendar. It is regarded as the most important holiday in China and is also widely celebrated in countries that have large Chinese populations like Korea and Vietnam.

Another email from College of Communications Arts and Science Dean Heidi Hennink-Kaminski explained the cancelation even further.

“I ask you to view this decision not as a statement of policy, but rather as an appropriate on-the-ground response given a very short decision window and input from students who voiced concerns about gathering for this cultural celebration.”

DEI has been a central culture war issue at the forefront of Trump’s second administration, with a flurry of executive orders taking aim at hiring practices in the federal government and military. Even though the administration has taken multiple steps to weaken the Federal Aviation Administration and airline safety in general in recent weeks, Trump used DEI as a scapegoat for the catastrophic airline collision that killed 67 people last Wednesday evening.