Just hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, the Spanish-language version of the White House website disappeared, leaving visitors with a 404 error message. The Spanish version of whitehouse.gov, which had been accessible at https://www.whitehouse.gov/es/, was still operational on the morning of Jan. 20, 2025.
This sudden removal of Spanish-language content marks a significant shift from previous administrations. The practice of maintaining a Spanish version of the White House website dates back to the Clinton era, with both the Bush and Obama administrations continuing the tradition. The disappearance of the Spanish-language site echoes a similar move made during Trump’s first term in 2017 when the Spanish version of whitehouse.gov was taken down shortly after his inauguration. At that time, the Trump administration faced criticism for the decision, with many viewing it as unwelcoming to Spanish-speaking Americans.
The removal of Spanish-language content from the White House website affects a significant portion of the U.S. population. With over 50 million Spanish speakers in the United States, Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the country after English.
As of now, the Trump administration has not issued an official statement regarding the removal of the Spanish-language website. It remains unclear whether this is a temporary measure during the transition or a more permanent policy decision.
Changes to whitehouse.gov
In a swift digital transformation, the official White House website underwent a significant overhaul just moments after Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025. The new site, which features a dynamic promotional video reminiscent of a sports hype reel, marks a stark departure from the previous administration’s online presence.
Immediate Changes
As Trump took the oath of office, visitors to WhiteHouse.gov were greeted with a 30-second montage showcasing highlights from his first term, military imagery, and scenes from his campaign trail. The video includes footage of Trump stepping off Marine Force One, engaging with supporters, and signing legislation, all set to an uplifting soundtrack. Following the montage, the tagline “The White House. President Donald J. Trump” appears on screen.The new homepage prominently displays a large image of Trump pointing with the declaration “America is back,” signaling a return to his administration’s core messaging.
Removal of Previous Features
Several features from the Biden administration’s website have been eliminated. Notably absent is the option for Spanish language translation and a contact form that allowed users to specify their pronouns. The revamped site now consists of three main sections: news, administration, and issues.Under the “issues” section, Trump’s key priorities are outlined, including:
- Ending inflation
- Enacting tax cuts
- Securing U.S. borders
- Increasing domestic energy production
- Tackling crime
The administration page highlights key figures in Trump’s cabinet, including Vice President J.D. Vance and First Lady Melania Trump. A dedicated cabinet page provides detailed information about each nominee, although none have yet received Senate confirmation.
Executive Actions on the Horizon
A prominent feature of the new homepage is dedicated to Trump’s anticipated executive actions. His team has indicated plans to sign over 100 executive orders within his first week in office, focusing on issues such as immigration policy changes—including an end to birthright citizenship—and modifications to energy regulations.
