President Trump ripped former President Biden’s high-speed internet program Thursday, vowing to end what he called a “racist” and ‘illegal’ initiative, The Hill reported.
Trump said he spoke with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, about the Biden-era Digital Equity Act, which allocated about $2.75 billion for programs that provide technology, including the internet, and skills for all Americans.
“We [Trump and Lutnick] agree that the Biden/Harris so-called ‘Digital Equality Act’ is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL,” Trump write in a Truth Social post Thursday. “No more woke handouts based on race! The Digital Equity Program is a RACIST and ILLEGAL $2.5. BILLION DOLLAR giveaway. I am ending this IMMEDIATELY, and saving Taxpayers BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!”
Biden signed the Digital Equity Act into law in 2021 as part of a$1 trillion infrastructure package to further the former administration’s “internet for all” initiative. It set aside about $60 million for grants to states and territories to come up with ways to improve access to technology, along with another $2.5 billion to implement the plans.
The Trump administration has worked to roll back several diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The internet for all program was intended to apply to a variety of groups.
Gizmodo reported: In another unhinged social media rant, President Donald Trump once again demonstrated that words really don’t mean anything anymore.
This time, Trump directed his ire at a Biden-era program intended to bridge the digital divide. On Truth Social, Trump announced his intention to end the Digital Equality Act while labeling it as “racist” and “unconstitutional”.
In 2021, former president Joe Biden passed the Digital Equity Act as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It provide $2.75 billion to establish three federal grant programs administrated by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Per the agency, DEA’s aim is to ensure that everyone “has the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.” Think digital skills and workforce training, promoting high-speed internet access in rural and tribal areas, and improving accessibility for disabled people.
In her statement, Patty Murray added, “It’s absolutely insane that resources meant to help red and blue communities – everyone from local school districts and libraries to workforce training programs and Tribes – close the digital divide will be illegally blocked because the President doesn’t like the word equity. Americans are sick and tired of extremist right-wing culture wars being forced down our throats.”
National Digital Inclusion Alliance reported: Today, President Trump shared a statement on Truth Social proclaiming the Digital Equity Act to be unconstitutional and therefore has determined to end the program immediately.
Calling the Digital Equity Act unconstitutional is not only incorrect – it hurts millions of Americans who need digital navigation support and home internet to find jobs, access healthcare, and compete in today’s modern economy.
The Digital Equity Act was not an executive order issued at the whim of one individual. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress to help close the digital divide in rural, urban, and Tribal communities. 56 states and territories are counting on the fund to implement essential programs across their states, and their work is already underway.