Trump Administration Ignites Rural America’s Digital Revolution- Cuts National Broadband Funding

Over 744 million dollars has flowed into rural America since October 2019, bringing high-speed internet to thousands of households and businesses that once struggled with slow or no connections. This massive investment reached 172,000 households and 19,000 rural small businesses across the country.

$744 million brought high-speed internet to 172,000 rural households and 19,000 small businesses since October 2019.

The USDA’s ReConnect Program received $2.3 billion from Congress since 2018 to help rural communities get online. The program’s first round delivered $698 million, connecting about 167,000 households and 17,000 businesses. Congress then added another $550 million for round two, targeting more areas without good internet service. Many projects installed fiber-to-the-premises networks, giving rural communities the same fast speeds as cities.

This broadband expansion is changing rural economies. Farmers now use precision agriculture technology to grow more food with less waste. Small business owners can sell products online to customers anywhere in the world. The improved internet attracts new companies and remote workers to rural towns, creating jobs where few existed before. Similar to how battery storage technologies are revolutionizing renewable energy access, rural broadband is transforming access to digital resources.

Students in rural schools aren’t left behind anymore. They can take online classes, access digital textbooks, and complete homework just like city kids. During COVID-19, rural students could keep learning from home. Teachers also benefit by joining virtual training sessions without driving hours to workshops.

Healthcare in rural areas has transformed too. Residents can see doctors through video calls instead of driving long distances to clinics. People with diabetes or heart conditions can have their health monitored remotely. Mental health services, once nearly impossible to find in rural areas, are now just a click away.

The Trump administration focused on bringing broadband to areas with little or no service through USDA loans and grants. Later budget proposals suggested stopping new funding, arguing that existing money and other federal resources could handle ongoing needs. On May 5, 2025, the administration unveiled a new budget plan that would halt additional broadband funding through USDA programs. On May 8, 2025, President Trump announced the cancellation of $2.5 billion in digital equity grant funding, calling it unconstitutional.

Officials also pushed for new technologies like satellite internet to reach the most remote areas. The administration recognized that building infrastructure wasn’t enough. They began shifting focus toward making internet service affordable and helping rural residents learn to use their new connections effectively.