I actually agree with both G2 and TB13 here. Aspects of DEI itself are not popular and have fallen short of achieving the goals it set out to make. However, in the context of the campaign, speaking to Ed's Google search screenshot, it was all about creating a bogeyman to distract from other issues where Trump has liabilities. Some of which he is currently acting up on as POTUS.
The bigger piece is, recalling an interaction with Holic a day before the inauguration, is the blurring of the lines between the "DEI" bogeyman and the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in general. This administration in it's actions is overreaching, IMO, because it is acting like concepts like diversity and inclusion are unpopular... Even equity, which is probably the most problematic concept, isn't broadly unpopular. Polling since the election has continually showed it.
The American people broadly are not akin to Stephen Miller but they are treating them like they are. I hope there are consequences going forward