Fact Check: Trump's administration scrubs LGBTQ terms from official websites.

Published June 30, 2025

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# Fact Check: "Trump's administration scrubs LGBTQ terms from official websites" ## What We Know The claim that the Trump administration removed LGBT...

Fact Check: "Trump's administration scrubs LGBTQ terms from official websites"

What We Know

The claim that the Trump administration removed LGBTQ-related terms from official government websites has been a topic of discussion among various media outlets and advocacy groups. Reports indicate that during Trump's presidency, there were significant changes in how LGBTQ issues were addressed by federal agencies. For instance, the Human Rights Campaign documented a pattern of erasure of LGBTQ references from government materials, particularly in the context of health and human services. This included the removal of terms like "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" from key documents and websites.

Moreover, the Department of Health and Human Services under Trump was noted for its rollback of protections for LGBTQ individuals, which further fueled claims that the administration was actively scrubbing LGBTQ terms from official communications. However, specific instances of this scrubbing were often anecdotal or based on broader policy shifts rather than documented, systematic deletions.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim is mixed and requires careful evaluation. While there are credible reports from organizations like the Human Rights Campaign highlighting the removal of LGBTQ terms from various documents, the extent and intent behind these actions are less clear. The sources that support the claim often rely on observations and reports from advocacy groups, which, while credible, may have inherent biases due to their advocacy nature.

Conversely, some government officials and supporters of the Trump administration argue that changes in language and policy were part of a broader agenda to prioritize traditional values and reduce what they perceived as political correctness in government communications. This perspective is often presented in conservative media, which may downplay or dismiss the significance of the changes made.

The reliability of the sources discussing this issue varies. Advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign are well-respected but may be biased towards a particular narrative that emphasizes the negative impacts of the Trump administration's policies on LGBTQ rights. On the other hand, conservative sources may provide a counter-narrative that could downplay the significance of the changes made.

Overall, while there is evidence to suggest that LGBTQ terms were removed or altered in some contexts, the claim lacks comprehensive documentation and is subject to interpretation based on political and social biases.

Conclusion

Needs Research: The claim that the Trump administration scrubbed LGBTQ terms from official websites is supported by some evidence, particularly from advocacy groups. However, the extent of these actions and their implications require further investigation. The mixed reliability of sources and the potential for bias necessitate a more thorough examination of the specific instances and policies involved before reaching a definitive conclusion.

Sources

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