The Trump administration has restricted or banned nearly 200 words from government platforms. These include official websites, internal documents, and public statements. The restrictions were uncovered through government memos and internal guidelines. Some words were completely removed, while others were discouraged but not officially banned. Federal agencies were instructed to use caution when mentioning certain terms, though enforcement varied. The report suggests that many more restrictions may exist that have not yet been made public.
Trump Bans 200 Words: List of Banned or Restricted Words Includes Terms Related to Diversity, Health, and Social Issues
The New York Times released a list of nearly 200 words that the Trump administration reportedly avoids or restricts. Some of these words are banned in certain contexts, while others are simply discouraged. The list includes terms related to social justice, health, and diversity. Examples include “activists,” “anti-racism,” “belonging,” “breastfeeding,” “climate crisis,” “community diversity,” “disability,” “discrimination,” “equality,” “feminism,” “gender,” “immigrants,” “LGBT,” “mental health,” “minorities,” “oppression,” “orientation,” “pregnant,” “racial justice,” “racism,” “sex,” “transgender,” and “victims.”
Restrictions on Transgender and Other Sensitive Terms Reflect Government’s Political Views
Some restrictions apply only in specific situations, depending on the context. For example, references to transgender individuals must align with the government’s official stance. This means that any wording that does not match the administration’s policies is not allowed. The report also notes that the published list of restricted terms is likely incomplete. The New York Times suggests that additional memos and internal communications exist that have not yet been revealed. Some guidelines are vague and do not provide specific instructions, leaving room for interpretation by government employees and agencies.
Every Presidential Administration Shapes Official Language
It is common for presidential administrations to shape the language used in official communications. Each president adjusts the wording in government statements to reflect their political priorities. However, the Trump administration’s changes are much broader than usual. The New York Times describes these modifications as a “noticeable and significant shift” in how government agencies communicate. These language changes reflect what critics say are the administration’s core priorities and political beliefs.
Trump’s Views on Diversity and Equality Have Shaped the Government’s Approach to Language
Trump has argued that diversity and equality weaken merit-based systems. He claims that these concepts unfairly elevate unqualified individuals over those who are more deserving. Many critics say this perspective is discriminatory. They argue that it targets marginalized groups, including people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, and others. The administration’s approach to language restrictions seems to align with Trump’s views on these issues.
Changes in Federal Government Websites Show a Clear Shift in Communication Style
The New York Times found that more than 250 federal government websites have been altered under the Trump administration. In many cases, words and phrases were removed or replaced with different terms. The newspaper documented these changes by comparing public texts from before and after Trump took office. They highlighted deleted words in red to show what had been removed. The total number of affected government websites is likely much higher than the 250 reviewed.
Presidents have always influenced public discourse by shaping the language used in official statements. However, critics argue that the Trump administration is not just adjusting language but actively suppressing certain discussions. The removal of specific words suggests that the administration is more focused on limiting national dialogue than encouraging it. Many believe that by restricting the use of terms related to diversity, equality, and social justice, the administration is trying to silence discussions that it sees as unfavorable or politically inconvenient.
