When writing about the Trump administration, we regularly find ourselves frequenting the White House website. Following the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, we’ve noticed significant changes in not only the website’s design but also the credibility of the information presented.

The official website for the White House prioritizes Donald Trump’s ego, claiming his presidency as a “Golden Age” for the United States. The site’s emphasis on Trump’s image and achievements puts its functionality into question, as the “.gov” domain typically signifies a high level of credibility and a source of accurate information. A website representing the White House should inform citizens, not persuade them to align themselves with one political party over another. We believe that any social media account affiliated with the government should operate under a more professional set of standards.

Under previous administrations, the White House’s website served as a hub for accessing information about the federal government and its institutions. This has typically been done in a clear and educational manner that focuses on the unity of the Nation. While the current site does offer some valuable information, there are also design elements and text that are clearly propaganda tactics, aiming to depict the Trump administration in the best light possible. 

Notably, the site features a list of “criminal illegal aliens” who have received Medicare. This tab uses inflammatory captions that provide little context when placed next to the photos of human beings. It is clearly meant to provoke a reaction and demonize immigrants. The use of the term “alien” is incredibly insensitive and problematic. We find it unbelievable that not only would the President of the United States use such language, but that he would stamp it all over the official site.

Features such as the “Media Offender Hall of Shame” publicly label news outlets as biased. Further, a curated White House Wire feed promotes news favorable to the current administration. While the latter in itself is not new, the selective framing of current events has increased significantly in Trump’s second term. 

In 2021, the Washington Post reported that Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims throughout his first term. There’s a stark and concerning difference between the domain during Trump’s first term and its current state. It seems like propaganda is Trump’s specialty, to the point where fact-checking has become challenging for reporters due to the sheer amount of bias or misleading claims being shared through websites, social media and in press conferences.

The website also attacks institutions within the federal government. It does not shy away from badmouthing Democrats, despite the crucial role of both political parties in our democracy. Found under the “School Choice” tab, governors who have chosen not to opt into new tax credit initiatives have the word “Failure” stamped over their portraits. This feels like an extremely immature and disrespectful tactic toward government officials simply because they are not doing what Trump wants. 

These decisions blur the line between transparent public service and politically motivated messaging, raising questions about the role of the government’s digital platforms in shaping public opinion. They underscore the need for media literacy and critical examination of official sources that may prioritize persuasion over impartiality. In an era of declining trust in institutions, the website risks further eroding public confidence in democratic transparency and the media ecosystem as a whole. 

Disinformation is easily spread throughout online spaces, as users can manipulate meaning to deceive readers and viewers. This should be an issue that our government takes action against, not actively participates in. The need for clear and consistent communication is becoming more apparent as the Trump administration continues to abuse its authority.

There needs to be clear and concise guidelines for online presidential conduct to ensure and rebuild accountability, maturity and trust. Without set policies, governmental websites are vulnerable to corruption. It’s a problem when the United States government is telling Americans not to trust their own eyes, and instead blindly trust this administration’s words. We urge our readers to think for themselves and fact-check what they read, even governmental websites.