President Donald Trump has officially shut down a major Biden-era program that aimed to expand internet access across the country, calling it a “woke handout” and “illegal.”
In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump announced he’s terminating the Digital Equity Act, a $2.75 billion initiative passed under then-President Joe Biden as part of the 2021 infrastructure bill. The program was designed to bring high-speed internet and digital tools to underserved communities—including seniors, low-income families, rural areas, and minority groups.
“We [Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick] agree that the Biden/Harris so-called ‘Digital Equity Act’ is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL,” Trump wrote. “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!”
The Biden administration pitched the law as a step toward closing the digital divide in America. It gave states and territories $60 million to develop strategies, and another $2.5 billion to fund the rollout of internet access and training programs—especially in marginalized communities.
But with Trump back in charge, the program is now on the chopping block. And he’s not hiding the reason: he sees it as a waste of money because it benefits the poor.
His move is part of a broader rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs championed under Biden. And it’s already facing political blowback.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who authored the Digital Equity Act, slammed the decision.
“As usual the President has no idea what he’s talking about,” Murray said. “I wrote the Digital Equity Act to help close the digital divide in America—it’s about making sure seniors can get online and equipping every student in every classroom with the tools they need to succeed, whether that’s a hotspot to take home or a laptop.”
She defended the law as flexible and locally controlled.
“My law provides maximal flexibility to cities, states, and Tribes so every local community can decide for themselves how they invest Digital Equity dollars—that’s why it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support,” she added.
Murray warned that refusing to spend already-approved funds could spark legal challenges.
“It is 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,” she said.
