Prime Highlights
- There are no false social media viral posts that Donald Trump ever suggested a six-month school year.
- There is no solid proof or authoritative pronouncement in support of any of the assertions.
Key Fact
- There is no policy, statement, or executive order ever suggesting Trump ever suggested shortening the American school year to six months.
Key Background
Over the past few days, there has been a viral social media rumor on platforms including TikTok and X (Twitter) that former US President Donald Trump signed or pushed into law a bill reducing the school year to six months. Almost all of the users spread the rumor without verifying if it was true, but others come right out and stated that they were unable to locate any legitimate source backing the rumor.
Fact-checking websites cite the claim to be entirely baseless. While Trump has spoken out previously regarding remaking education and reducing some federal involvement in education, there has been no suggestion on his part to reduce the school year. The President of the United States is also not able to directly decide the duration of the school year, as that is a matter for the states.
Most states in the US require nearly 180 school days annually, or nearly half a year of class time. Providing for holidays and vacations, however, the school year typically runs roughly about some nine months from late summer to early summer. This has remained so for decades and is not likely to be altered by an executive order.
The rumor appears to be another case of viral misinformation going viral online through a combination of sensationalized headlines and virus-like spread of unsubstantiated updates. Official announcements, positive news websites, and government releases confirm there has never been any effort—past or current—by Trump or any other part of the U.S. government to abbreviate the national school year.
Read Also: IRDAI Imposes ₹5 Crore Fine on Policybazaar for Misleading Practices and Regulatory Violations