Claims have circulated widely on social media and various platforms alleging that President Donald Trump signed an executive order canceling Pride Month and declaring that the U.S. government recognizes only two genders. However, a closer examination of credible reports and official statements reveals that these claims are either misleading or outright false, often stemming from misinterpretations or fabricated content such as deepfake videos. As of August 2025, no executive order has been issued by the Trump administration explicitly banning Pride Month, though the administration has taken significant steps affecting LGBTQ+ recognition and rights, particularly targeting transgender and nonbinary communities.
A viral video that surfaced in May 2025 depicted Trump announcing the cancellation of Pride Month, labeling pride as a “sin” and proposing to rename June as “confidence month or maybe just June.” This video, viewed by millions, was quickly identified as a deepfake, with text at the end admitting its satirical nature. Fact-checking organizations, including Reuters and USA Today, confirmed that Trump has not issued any order to cancel Pride Month. The video was a fabrication, built on an altered clip of Trump delivering an Easter message, and was created by an account known for producing satirical content. Despite its falsity, the video amplified existing concerns about the administration’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues, given its broader policy actions.
While Pride Month has not been officially canceled, the Trump administration has explicitly declined to recognize it. In June 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration had “no plans” to issue a proclamation for Pride Month, a departure from the annual recognitions under previous administrations, including those of Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden. This decision aligns with a broader rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. For instance, the Department of Education declared June as “Title IX Month,” emphasizing a 1972 civil rights law while framing it to exclude transgender protections in sports and other settings. Similarly, the Defense Department, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, paused observances of cultural months, including Pride Month, alongside Black History Month and others, citing a focus on “mission execution” over “divisive” initiatives.
The administration’s most significant actions have targeted transgender and nonbinary individuals. On his first day in office, January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This order mandates that the federal government recognize only two sexes—male and female—based on “immutable biological classification” at conception. It requires federal identification documents, such as passports and visas, to reflect this binary definition, effectively eliminating the “X” gender marker option introduced in 2022. The order also rescinded Biden-era policies protecting against discrimination based on gender identity, directing agencies to reinterpret laws like Title VII and Bostock v. Clayton County to exclude transgender protections. This has raised concerns about access to healthcare, workplace rights, and housing for transgender individuals.
The impact of these policies extends beyond federal recognition. The administration’s actions have coincided with a withdrawal of corporate support for Pride events, with companies like Mastercard, PepsiCo, and Citi scaling back sponsorships for major Pride festivals in New York and Washington, D.C., citing economic uncertainty and fear of political retribution. Organizers of WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., reported a shortfall of funds due to sponsor withdrawals, though some companies continued support discreetly. Despite these challenges, advocates like Caleb Smith from the Center of American Progress remain optimistic, noting that the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and the economic power of Pride events—estimated at $1.4 trillion in U.S. purchasing power—will sustain these celebrations.
Critics, including the Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal, argue that these actions signal a broader effort to marginalize LGBTQ+ communities. The removal of LGBTQ+ resources from federal websites, such as WhiteHouse.gov and the Department of State, further fuels these concerns. While the administration claims to prioritize “all Americans,” its policies have sparked fears of increased discrimination and erasure. As Pride events continue under this administration, they carry a renewed sense of resistance, with organizers urging robust participation to counter the hostile political climate.
