STAT

Opinion: Trump shouldn’t have the last word on acceptable language

We all need to use the seven words the Trump administration seemingly doesn't want to hear.

The latest distraction for President Trump — and confusion for the American public — involves his administration’s advice to multiple agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services to avoid using certain words in official documents being prepared for next year’s budget. The forbidden words are vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based, and science-based.

That directive reminds me of a chilling sentence from George Orwell’s classic book, “1984.”

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from STAT

STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About An Amgen Obesity Drug, A Senate Bill On Shortages, And More
Amgen will no longer develop an early-stage obesity pill, and will instead focus on a more advanced injectable candidate to compete with Wegovy and Zepbound.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Brain Biopsies On ‘Vulnerable’ Patients At Mount Sinai Set Off Alarm Bells At FDA, Documents Show
A STAT Investigation: Brain biopsies on "vulnerable" patients at Mount Sinai set off alarm bells at FDA, documents show.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About A Boy Dying In Pfizer Trial; AstraZeneca Yanking Covid Shot, And More
A young boy died in a clinical trial for an experimental Pfizer gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, about a year after receiving the therapy.

Related Books & Audiobooks