Laverne Cox reported a staggering 90% drop in income over two years, which he attributed to a decline in diversity and inclusion programs. Speaking and hosting opportunities have disappeared, forcing her to tap into savings. Cox links this trend to political pressure surrounding DEI and gender identity, expressing concern for less fortunate transgender individuals.
Laverne Cox says her income has dropped by about 90 percent over the past two years as companies, colleges and other organizations have pulled back on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The “Orange Is the New Black” star linked the sharp decline to the policies of President Donald Trump and broader political pressure surrounding DEI and gender identity. Cox said speaking engagements, hosting contracts and teaching opportunities have disappeared, forcing her to dip into savings and retirement funds.
Laverne Cox links the loss of income to Trump’s policies on DEI
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cox discussed the financial impact after speaking to Attitude and The Guardian about her career.
“I’ve lost a lot of money because of this administration in the last year,” she told Attitude magazine. “I’ve been able to stay busy with acting and branding work, as well as speaking engagements. But I never thought my college speaking gigs would dry up.”Cox said organizations have become reluctant to hire people associated with DEI work or transgender advocacy. “This administration is very punitive with anything that mentions DEI or gender ideology, and companies have been very afraid,” she said.
The actress added that the decline affected the financial security she built after finding fame. “In the last year or two, I’ve had to turn to savings and my retirement fund. So, the blessing is that I finally have the privilege of having a retirement fund to invest in, but you don’t really want to do that.”
Cox recalls Financial struggles Before “Orange is the New Black”
Cox was 40 when she landed her breakout role as Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black. Before that, she had student loan debt and no savings or retirement fund.“When Orange came out in 2013, I didn’t know how long that moment would last. I didn’t know how successful it would or wouldn’t be,” she told Attitude magazine.Speaking to The Guardian, Cox said hosting deals had ended, corporate speaking gigs had dried up, and academic opportunities were limited. It also raised concerns about transgender people having fewer resources.“I think the important thing to note is that if Laverne Cox’s income drops so dramatically, what about all the other trans people who aren’t as fortunate and blessed as I am?” She said.Cox released her memoir Transcendent in the United States on June 9, 2026. The book covers her childhood, career, advocacy work, and rise to international fame.
