(DCNF)—Conservative activist Robby Starbuck pushed back against some of CNN contributor and former Obama administration official Van Jones’ claims about his stances on equity policies on Tuesday.
Jones said during a panel discussion at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) “Blueprint” conference in Louisville, Ky., that Starbuck should not say that people who have previously embraced “equity” efforts in the workplace are “communists” or “don’t believe in merit.” Starbuck quickly denied calling everyone in attendance at the conference “communists,” also reiterating that he believes “equity” is inherently a “Marxist concept.”
“I don’t see any communists here, I don’t see anybody that doesn’t believe in merit here, I see people who are trying to solve real problems,” Jones said.
“I don’t know where I called anybody here a communist,” Starbuck replied. “I will say, statistically, there’s probably one or two [in] here.”
“You said ‘Marxist’ on this stage,” Jones shot back.
“Equity is a Marxist concept,” Starbuck said. “A thousand percent. I mean, it’s been a pillar of every Marxist revolution that we’ve had over the last 200 years.”
Starbuck, a visiting fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, has publicly called for several U.S. companies to terminate their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over the past few years. He has also previously compared DEI to “poison.”
Starbuck wrote in an Aug. 27 X post that he believes it is now “socially unacceptable” to “promote” trans causes or DEI efforts in corporate America, adding that it is also “unacceptable to use our money for Pride events.”
Later on during the SHRM panel discussion, Jones criticized Starbuck for using what he claimed was “bully tactics” to get American companies to abandon their diversity policies.”
“I think you may give yourself a little too much credit for the force of your argument,” Jones told Starbuck. “I don’t think people are being won over by your argument, I think they are being run over by your bully tactics and are afraid of the government. And so that’s something I think you have to be careful about.”
“You may be right about that, the CEOs may just be kissing up to me when they say that I’ve won them over with my arguments,” Starbuck said. “But to be honest with you, I don’t really care whether it’s a byproduct of me running them over with bully tactics or whether it’s because they loved my argument privately.”
The activist also added that he was achieving success at getting corporations to drop their DEI policies even when former President Joe Biden was in office.
“The truth is, I was doing this before [President Donald] Trump was in office, before he won the [2024] election, when it was very probable, a lot of people thought Kamala [Harris] was going to win. They were still dropping these [DEI] policies as we went after each company because they saw the financial reaction from the marketplace, they saw their in-store customers dipping [and] they saw it was a serious problem,” he said.
“I can definitely humble myself to say everybody in this room is not a communist, I don’t think I ever said that, but in the case that I did, I do not believe you guys are all communists,” Starbuck later added.
Many human-resources (HR) professionals were reportedly extremely upset over SHRM’s decision to invite Starbuck to its fall conference. Some HR professionals have backed out of attending the conference or have ended their memberships in SHRM, The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 17.
Additionally, Trump unveiled an executive order in January to terminate “radical” and “immoral” DEI programs in federal agencies.
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Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.
Van Jones was named for “Vanguard of the Revolution” by his Communist parents.