https://www.foxnews.com/media/halo-...ls-decline-wokeness-gaming-trumps-re-election
Marty O'Donnell, legendary composer for the Halo and Destiny franchises (known for soundtracks in humanity-vs-aliens epics that sold tens of millions since 2001), published a blog post on DEIDetected.com linking the "decline of wokeness" in gaming to Donald Trump's 2024 re-election. Running for Congress in Nevada’s 3rd district after placing fourth in the 2024 GOP primary, O'Donnell frames both as populist revolts against "woke leftists" forcing DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and identity politics into entertainment and governance.
Gamers' Revolt Mirrors Voters': "The downfall of DEI in gaming feels very similar to the 2024 elections. At the same time that gamers fought and took back the gaming industry from woke leftists, voters fought and took back our country from woke leftists." He credits enthusiasm for the original Halo re-release to backlash against "wokification," stating: "After years of gamers fighting the infiltration of DEI in the industry, we are finally winning."
Gaming Flops as DEI Evidence:
Summary of "'Halo' composer running for Congress draws parallels to decline of wokeness in gaming to Trump's re-election" (Fox News, November 11, 2025)
Marty O'Donnell, legendary composer for the Halo and Destiny franchises (known for soundtracks in humanity-vs-aliens epics that sold tens of millions since 2001), published a blog post on DEIDetected.com linking the "decline of wokeness" in gaming to Donald Trump's 2024 re-election. Running for Congress in Nevada’s 3rd district after placing fourth in the 2024 GOP primary, O'Donnell frames both as populist revolts against "woke leftists" forcing DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and identity politics into entertainment and governance.
Gamers' Revolt Mirrors Voters': "The downfall of DEI in gaming feels very similar to the 2024 elections. At the same time that gamers fought and took back the gaming industry from woke leftists, voters fought and took back our country from woke leftists." He credits enthusiasm for the original Halo re-release to backlash against "wokification," stating: "After years of gamers fighting the infiltration of DEI in the industry, we are finally winning."
Gaming Flops as DEI Evidence:
- Concord (Sony's $200M+ multiplayer shooter, developed nearly a decade): Flopped in under two weeks (<25,000 sales est.), pulled offline due to "flamboyant" designs, pronouns, and progressive characters—"crashed and burned two months before Donald Trump was re-elected."
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard: Backlash for "transgender and nonbinary" characters, including a "preachy" misgendering atonement scene.