Within hours of President Trump’s inauguration, the administration took down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. The site, which is currently accessible at this link, now displays an “Error 404” message. At the same time, the “Go Home” button, which initially directed users to a page featuring highlights from Trump’s first term, was updated to read “Go To Home Page” as part of the transition.

This abrupt change has sparked confusion and frustration among Hispanic advocacy groups and community leaders, who view this action as part of a concerning trend in the administration’s communication with the Latino community, an essential demographic that supported Trump in the past. Notably, the Spanish-language profile on social media was also taken down, alongside other government pages focused on reproductive rights. Conversely, Spanish versions of websites for agencies like the Department of Labor, Justice, and Agriculture remain operational as of this week.

White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields addressed these changes, stating that the administration is “committed to bringing back online the Spanish translation section of the website.” He assured that they are in the process of updating and maintaining the site, noting, “It’s day two. We are committed to reloading that content in a short timeline,” although specifics were not provided.

This situation is reminiscent of Trump’s previous presidency in 2017 when he also removed the Spanish version of the site, a move that was reversed by President Biden in 2021. The current removal coincides with Trump's first wave of executive actions aimed at immigration reform, further complicating the issue for many within the Latino community.

Recent estimates from the Census Bureau indicate that approximately 43.4 million Americans, or 13.7% of the population aged 5 and over, speak Spanish at home, underscoring the significance of Spanish-language resources. Monica Rivera, a communications strategist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, articulated the implications of this decision, stating, “Removing access to information directly from the White House draws a distinct line as to who they are serving,” implying a dangerous trend towards the marginalization of Latino voices.

Critics like Anthony Hernandez, a Washington D.C.-based paralegal, argue that such actions suggest the forthcoming years under a potential second Trump presidency might be characterized by sidelining critical issues affecting minority communities. “A move like shutting down the Spanish White House page serves no purpose other than to cut off resources for millions of Hispanic Americans and immigrants,” he stated. “It’s a slap in the face to the millions of Hispanic voters that supported him in this recent election.”

With Trump’s inner circle including figures like Cuban American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expresses gratitude in Spanish, the disconnect raised questions about the administration's commitment to engaging with Latino communities effectively.

Experts, including Frankie Miranda, the president of the Hispanic Federation, suggested that if the White House truly intends to engage with Latino citizens, updates must be communicated in Spanish. He emphasized that this is essential for ensuring “everyone is a part of the civic process.”

Furthermore, historians and political analysts regard this maneuver as counterproductive, noting it presents a missed opportunity to highlight policy changes across demographics, particularly in economic and border security issues. Jeff Lee, a former California official, remarked on the peculiar targeting of the Spanish media, suggesting it reflects an underlying bias within the administration’s framework.

Data from AP VoteCast shows that Trump garnered a larger share of Black and Latino voters in recent elections compared to 2020, revealing a complex landscape as younger Latino voters appear more receptive to his policies.

For more detailed coverage, visit LA Times and AP News.