White House Spanish-language Page and Social Media Shut Down by Trump Administration
Within hours of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the new administration took down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. The site, https://www.whitehouse.gov/es/, now displays an “Error 404” message, redirecting users to a page featuring Trump’s campaign footage. The move sparked confusion and frustration among Hispanic advocacy groups and others, questioning the administration’s commitment to engaging with the Latino community.
Unprecedented Shutdown of Spanish-Language White House Page
The sudden removal of the Spanish profile of the White House, @LaCasaBlanca, and other government pages like the one on reproductive freedom, left many puzzled. The decision seemed to hinder communication with the 43.4 million Americans who speak Spanish at home, reflecting a disconnect between the administration and a significant portion of the population.
Reactions to the Shutdown
Monica Rivera, a New York-based communications strategist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, highlighted the symbolic message sent by the shutdown. She emphasized how the move alienates Latino communities and underscores a lack of inclusivity. Similarly, Anthony Hernandez, a paralegal in Washington D.C., criticized the shutdown as a deliberate attempt to limit resources for Hispanic Americans and legal immigrants.
Expert Insights and Surprising Reactions
Hispanic leaders and communication experts expressed astonishment at the removal, given Trump’s popularity among certain Latino voters. Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, stressed the importance of providing updates in Spanish to engage the community effectively. U.S. historian Kris Klein Hernández raised concerns about the administration’s priorities, questioning the exclusion of Spanish-speaking constituencies.
In a surprising turn, AP VoteCast found that Trump gained more support from Black and Latino voters in 2024, particularly among young Latino men. This unexpected shift in demographics suggests a changing political landscape and challenges conventional assumptions about voter preferences.
The removal of the Spanish-language White House page raises critical questions about inclusivity, communication strategies, and political implications for the Latino community. As the administration faces backlash for this decision, the impact on future engagement with diverse populations remains uncertain.