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yesterday

Trump Ends Biden-Era Digital Equity Act, Halting $2.5 Billion in Broadband Grants

The administration declares the law unconstitutional and removes program details, sparking legal and policy uncertainty.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on May 08, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Illustration of a US map with crisscrossing lines representing a broadband network.
Image
U.S. President Donald Trump makes comments to journalists outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS)

Overview

  • President Donald Trump announced the termination of the Digital Equity Act, a program aimed at expanding internet access in underserved communities.
  • The $2.5 billion initiative, signed into law under President Joe Biden, focused on bridging the digital divide for seniors, veterans, minorities, and rural populations.
  • Trump characterized the program as 'racist' and 'illegal,' claiming it provided 'woke handouts based on race.'
  • The administration has ordered an immediate halt to grant awards and removed program descriptions from government websites.
  • Legal challenges are expected as stakeholders assess the impact on existing grants and the broader implications for broadband equity efforts.