During the Trump administration, certain terms were reportedly discouraged or prohibited from use within governmental agencies. This directive aimed to control messaging and align communications with the administration’s policies and priorities. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allegedly received a list of forbidden words or phrases relating to budget documents.
The rationale behind restricting specific vocabulary was to influence public perception and redirect funding or policy emphasis. The use or avoidance of particular language can profoundly shape how issues are understood and addressed. Historical precedents exist for governments influencing language in official communications, whether to promote specific ideologies or to consolidate power.