Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI), a U.S.-based real estate investment trust (REIT) with significant operations in London, saw its stock price plummet 5.31% in intraday trading on Wednesday. This decline appears to be driven by concerns over the potential impact of President Trump's stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on the company's business.

According to reports, President Trump has signed an executive order to end "radical and wasteful" DEI programs in the U.S., prompting several global companies, including those with operations in London, to pull back on their DEI initiatives. While the UK has stronger statutory protections against discrimination compared to the U.S., legal experts suggest that Trump's backlash against DEI could still influence businesses operating in London.

As a REIT with a significant presence in the UK capital, Douglas Emmett may face challenges in maintaining its DEI policies and initiatives in the face of this anti-DEI sentiment from the U.S. administration. Investors appear concerned that any changes to the company's DEI approach could negatively impact its operations, reputation, and financial performance, leading to the observed stock price plummet.