Shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the new administration removed the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. The current link, https://www.whitehouse.gov/es/, now displays an “Error 404” message and initially included a “Go Home” button directing users to a video montage of Trump from his first term and during the campaign. The button was later changed to “Go To Home Page.”
Various Hispanic advocacy groups and others expressed confusion and frustration over the sudden change, highlighting what they saw as a lack of effort by the administration to engage with the Latino community, which played a significant role in Trump’s election. The Spanish profiles of the White House’s @LaCasaBlanca account and the government page on reproductive freedom were also removed. In contrast, Spanish versions of agencies like the Department of Labor, Justice, and Agriculture remained accessible.
When asked about the alterations, White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields acknowledged the removal of the Spanish translation section and stated that efforts were underway to bring it back online. Trump had eliminated the Spanish page in 2017, with promises of reinstating it left unfulfilled until President Joe Biden restored it in 2021.
The removal of the page coincided with Trump’s executive orders on the first day of his presidency, particularly focusing on an immigration crackdown, including declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. Census Bureau data from 2023 indicates that around 43.4 million Americans speak Spanish at home, representing 13.7% of the population aged 5 and older.
Monica Rivera, a communications strategist of Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage in New York City, viewed the shutdown as a deliberate message that excludes Spanish-speaking Americans from accessing direct information from the White House. Anthony Hernandez, a paralegal in Washington, D.C., criticized the move, suggesting it deprived Hispanic Americans and legal immigrants of crucial resources and disrespected the Hispanic voters who supported Trump.
Despite Trump’s actions, his Secretary of State, Cuban American Marco Rubio, gave remarks in Spanish at his swearing-in ceremony, thanking God, his family, and Trump. The removal of the Spanish White House page and related profiles was seen as a divisive measure by Hispanic leaders and communicators.
In a recent development that has caught the attention of political analysts and community leaders, the removal of Spanish-language content from official White House websites has raised eyebrows and sparked questions about the administration’s engagement with Latino voters. This move, seen as a surprising decision given former President Trump’s popularity among certain segments of the Latino population, has prompted calls for inclusivity and accessibility in communication strategies.
Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, emphasized the importance of engaging with the Latino community by ensuring that updates are available in Spanish, a language preferred by millions in the community. Miranda stressed that inclusivity in language is crucial for ensuring that everyone can participate in the civic process and stay informed about key developments.
Kris Klein Hernández, a U.S. historian specializing in race, gender, and sexuality at Connecticut College, pointed out that the removal of Spanish-language content not only limits access for Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens and migrants but also raises questions about the administration’s priorities. This decision has led some to question which constituencies are being prioritized by the administration.
Jeff Lee, former deputy cabinet secretary and deputy director of external and international affairs for former California Gov. Jerry Brown, highlighted the missed opportunity to showcase policy changes related to economics and border security. Lee noted the inconsistency in targeting Spanish-language content for removal while other language mediums remained unaffected, calling it an intriguing choice that warrants further scrutiny.
The analysis of AP VoteCast, a comprehensive survey of over 120,000 voters, revealed that Trump had secured a larger share of Black and Latino voters compared to the previous election, particularly among men under the age of 45. The data also indicated increased openness to Trump among young Latinos, especially young Latino men, with a significant percentage voting for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, while a slightly smaller majority supported President Biden.
This development points to a shifting landscape in voter demographics and preferences, highlighting the importance of inclusive communication strategies and outreach efforts. As political strategists and community leaders reflect on these findings, the need for engaging with diverse communities and ensuring access to information in multiple languages becomes increasingly evident.
The decision to remove Spanish-language content from White House websites serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances involved in effectively communicating with diverse audiences. Moving forward, stakeholders will need to consider how language accessibility can impact engagement and participation in the democratic process, emphasizing the value of inclusivity and representation in political discourse.
