Verizon Communications

High-level officials in the Trump campaign report that Trump’s texting campaign was temporarily paused for 5 days during his 2020 presidential run. The company claims that the cessation of service was the result of a third-party decision to ensure the campaign met spam/privacy criteria for the texts, while the Trump campaign argues it was unnecessary and politically motivated (1). Verizon terminated its relationship with conservative OANN in 2022 (2). Verizon was a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which demonetized and suppressed content that it deemed to spread “hate speech” or “misinformation”, discuss “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context”, or “vilif[y]” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These arbitrary guidelines were used to censor mainstream perspectives online (3)(4)(5).

Verizon‘s foundation guidelines previously required that religious organizations be non-sectarian in their services; However, as of January 2025, Verizon does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs (1)(2).

Verizon does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1)(2). Verizon had a history of divisive corporate policies and practices. However, in May 2025, the company pledged to dissolve its DEI roles, end DEI training and ensure all training is focused on core business objectives, end supplier diversity goals, stop tying supplier diversity goals to management pay, end gender and racial quotas and remove achievement of those quotas from management compensation plans, and open Employee Resource Groups to all employees ensuring membership will not be a factor in employment or advancement decisions at the company (3).

Verizon spoke out against voting integrity laws in multiple conservative states (1). Verizon is committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2035 (2). Verizon had a history of divisive corporate policies and practices. However, in May 2025, the company pledged to stop filling out the so-called “Corporate Equality Index” pushing most of these policies and end the use of DEI across all company website, communications, and marketing. Verizon will also focus on growing its small business and veteran-owned business supplier base as well as procuring from the most qualified suppliers (3).

Verizon provides a benefits package for employees that covers travel/lodging costs for an abortion and transgender medical procedures for covered employees and dependents, including children (1)(2)(3). Verizon is a Champion Tier corporate sponsor of the Trevor Project, an organization that advocates for controversial sex and gender ideology, including “gender transition” drugs and surgeries for minors, through legislation, litigation, advertising, and PR campaigns. The organization also hosts online chatrooms that allow adults to communicate with minors as young as 13 about sexually explicit topics. Adults in these chatrooms have encouraged minors to adopt transgender identities and withhold this information from their parents ((4))((5))((6))((7))((8)). Verizon was a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (9)(10)(11). Verizon had a history of divisive corporate policies and practices. However, in May 2025, the company pledged to ensure all sponsorships advance core business objectives and increase shareholder value, centrally manage all Employee Resource Groups with oversight and preapproval of any social and cultural events (12). Verizon sponsored the Nashville Pride in 2025 (13). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of the company using corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (14).

Verizon donated to the Equality PAC but has not lobbied for ideological purposes (1)(2)(3).