The Trump administration recently hosted its White House Black History Month Celebration—a striking contradiction as it continues its nationwide assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“Acknowledging Black History Month while simultaneously rolling back DEI initiatives definitely sends a mixed message,” said Parker McMullen Bushman, founder and CEO of Ecoinclusive Strategies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed the administration’s stance, stating, “We will continue to celebrate American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion or creed have made to our great country. America is back!”
Yet, just weeks before, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation recognizing Black History Month, following the tradition of past presidents. The proclamation highlighted historical figures such as abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Trump’s statement, as reported by ABC News, claimed that their achievements “have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country” and remain a continued inspiration.
However, even as the White House acknowledged Black History Month, its actions told a different story. Around the same time, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a directive declaring that “identity months” were now officially dead.
Dismantling DEI while hosting a celebration
The conflicting messages come as the Trump administration aggressively targets DEI programs, referring to them as “discriminatory” and pushing for what it calls a “merit-based society.” The White House’s Black History Month proclamation encouraged “public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.” Yet, it failed to define what “appropriate” actually means.
Meanwhile, a Defense Department memo titled “Identity Months Dead at DOD” made it clear that federal resources—including work hours—will no longer be used to recognize cultural awareness months. Black History Month, Women’s History Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month are now among the observances barred from official acknowledgment within the DOD.
While Bushman acknowledged the importance of recognizing Black History Month, she emphasized that true support should go beyond performative gestures.
“Black history is American history… and so I think that if the administration truly wants to honor Black history, it would recognize that diversity is not a threat, but it’s our greatest strength as a nation,” Bushman said. “When we talk about diversity, it’s not excluding people who are white, people who are able-bodied, people who are cisgender, people who are heterosexual, right? It’s saying, ‘Let’s add to it so that all of us together can thrive.’”
HBCU leaders sound the alarm
Despite the administration’s attempts to paint the White House celebration as a genuine acknowledgment of Black contributions, concerns are mounting—especially among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Republican commentator Armstrong Williams, who attended the White House event, expressed optimism. Speaking to Black Press USA, he claimed that the administration’s focus on HBCUs, “strengthening families, and strengthening business” would usher in a new “renaissance” for Black wealth.
However, HBCU leaders remain skeptical, particularly as Trump’s executive orders threaten DEI programs and put federal funding for Black colleges in jeopardy. Williams acknowledged the controversy but insisted, “People will absolutely be shocked. He [Trump] will build his legacy and that will be a part of it. This is something he is really committed to.”
Social media calls out the hypocrisy
While the administration put on a show with its Black History Month dinner, social media users weren’t buying it.
One X user (@papimagic) summed up the contradiction bluntly:
“So no federal office or agency is [no] longer allowed to celebrate Black History Month… or any other identity-centered celebration… but y’all throwing a BHM dinner? Girl, make it make sense. The maths not mathing.”
Another user pointed out the hypocrisy of the administration celebrating Black history while actively erasing it from federal spaces:
“So the White House can hold their Black History Month celebration, but not the employees of federal agencies, DOD, DODEA, schools with teachers and librarians who had to take down and remove all decorations, books, and lesson plans on Black history? SMDH hypocrites.”
Celebration or smokescreen?
As the Trump administration continues its full-scale rollback of DEI initiatives, its Black History Month celebration rings hollow for many. The administration’s simultaneous push to erase identity-based recognition from federal agencies—while claiming to honor Black contributions—sends a clear message: representation is fine for the photo ops, but policy tells the real story.
For now, Black History Month remains on the calendar. But under an administration that sees diversity as a threat, the question isn’t whether these celebrations will continue—it’s whether they will hold any real meaning at all.
NNPA contributed to this report.
