This week, the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in the U.S., faced significant backlash on social media after incorrectly using the word “fascism” in a statement. This incident occurred on Sunday during the union’s annual conference, where they expressed a commitment to defend democracy, particularly in response to actions by former President Donald Trump.
The NEA had put forth resolutions that stressed the importance of preserving “the survival of civilization itself” for their over three million members. In one document, they used the term “fascism” to highlight their stance against Trump’s approach. Conservative education commentator Corey A. DeAngelis pointed out the errors on social media, questioning the NEA’s characterization of Trump’s policies.
In light of the controversy, others quickly took to social media to crack jokes. One user noted the irony of a teachers’ union unable to spell a critical term in their commentary against the president. Another expressed concerns over the influence of “fringe political activists” in the education system, suggesting that the union’s language reflected a larger agenda.
Tina Descovich, CEO and co-founder of Moms for Liberty, criticized the NEA for missing the mark on defining fascism while pushing political narratives in place of vital subjects like math and reading. Meanwhile, Washington State Representative Jim Walsh lambasted the NEA for what he called “hysterical slander” against Trump.
One social media commenter succinctly summed up the situation, pointing out the inconsistencies of a union that not only held ideological views but struggled with basic spelling. Chip Rogers, head of the worker advocacy group Americans, highlighted that teachers shouldn’t have their contributions used for the union’s political maneuvers, calling for a separation of education and politics to ensure fair treatment.
The NEA has yet to respond to requests for clarification regarding these events.
