For the first time in nearly four decades, the United States federal government did not officially recognize World AIDS Day on December 1, 2025, a move that has sparked outrage, sorrow, and renewed activism across the country. Since its inception by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day has served as a somber reminder of the millions lost to the HIV epidemic and a rallying point for ongoing efforts to combat the disease. Yet this year, the absence of federal acknowledgment has left advocates, survivors, and public health officials grappling with both the symbolism and real-world consequences of silence at the highest level.
According to CNN, the Trump administration not only withdrew from the World Health Organization earlier this year but also instructed federal agencies to refrain from commemorating World AIDS Day in any official capacity. The Department of State told employees to "refrain from publicly promoting" the day on social media, in speeches, and through public messaging. This break in tradition comes amid sweeping changes to both domestic and international HIV/AIDS funding, with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) being significantly scaled back and foreign aid for infectious diseases facing billions in cuts.
The impact of these decisions is already being felt in communities across the nation. In Chicago alone, more than 22,000 people are living with HIV, as reported by local health officials. Dr. Maya Green, founder of Nexus Medical Care and a member of the Cook County Health and Hospital Systems board, expressed her disappointment: "I wasn’t shocked, I was disappointed. Historically, things like this, depending on who’s in power federally, these days will start to drop off. It’s the politics of memory. It’s to change the narrative." For Dr. Green and many others, the erasure of World AIDS Day from the federal calendar is more than a bureaucratic oversight—it’s a deliberate shift in how the epidemic is remembered and addressed.
Nationally, about 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV, and, globally, that number stands at a staggering 39.9 million, according to CNN. Perhaps even more troubling, approximately 13% of people with HIV in the U.S. do not know their status—a silent driver of continued transmission. The decision to halt federal recognition of World AIDS Day, many experts warn, may further undermine efforts to reach those who are undiagnosed or at risk.
Dr. Aniruddha Hazra, an associate professor of medicine and infectious disease fellowship program director at the University of Chicago, underscored the interconnectedness of global and domestic health: "Pathogens, infections, HIV and other emerging pathogens don’t have passports or observe borders. Ignoring an outbreak that might be emerging in another part of the world just because it’s not in our border yet is quite foolish." Hazra and others have voiced concern that winding down programs like PEPFAR not only threatens progress abroad but also increases vulnerability at home.
Health policy in the Trump administration has shifted toward what officials describe as an "America First Global Health Strategy." State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated, "An awareness day is not a strategy. Under the leadership of President Trump, the State Department is working directly with foreign governments to save lives and increase their responsibility and burden sharing." The administration claims that its new global health strategy will streamline foreign assistance and modernize the U.S. approach to infectious diseases. However, health experts, including Dr. Anna Person, chair of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s HIV Medicine Association, are sounding the alarm: "Erasing HIV from the federal budget will not make the deadly virus go away but will reverse the progress made toward ending the HIV epidemic. Without continued research and support for HIV prevention, surveillance and services, new HIV transmissions and health care expenditures will climb, and people will die."
In the absence of federal leadership, local governments and advocacy groups have stepped up. In San Francisco, the SF AIDS Foundation and the National AIDS Memorial hosted events at Golden Gate Park, honoring both those lost and those still fighting. Marty Carls, who has lived with AIDS since before there was a test, shared, "This ‘disease’ does not define us. I see myself as a flourisher." Troy Brunet, a long-term survivor honored for his advocacy, recalled the heartbreak of the 1980s epidemic and the political environment that, as he put it, "didn’t just not address, but worked against us."
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared December 1st World AIDS Day in the state, stating, "California will not be silent." State Senator Scott Wiener and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joined local leaders to honor the 700,000 lives lost to the disease in the United States, while also acknowledging a recent uptick in new diagnoses among Black and brown communities in San Francisco. The city’s goal remains ambitious: zero new diagnoses.
Advocacy groups are not just holding vigils—they’re fighting in court. The SF AIDS Foundation is currently suing the Trump administration to keep federal HIV/AIDS funds flowing, with the next court hearing set for early 2026. Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the SF AIDS Foundation, noted, "While the current administration, the White House has chosen silence, that’s not something our community has the luxury of doing. The fight is far from over."
Nationally, the effects of funding cuts are compounded by social and political pressures, particularly in communities of color and among immigrants. Manuel Hernandez, executive director of ALMA Chicago, pointed to factors such as immigration status, language barriers, and cultural stigmas that deter individuals from seeking care. "Even if you are documented, there’s still the fear of being targeted. Individuals are less likely to seek care, and so it’s also up to organizations on how to access individuals. We will see an impact on how ICE raids in the city affected how individuals engaged with healthcare professionals." Hernandez stressed the need for creative solutions to ensure access to testing, prevention, and treatment, especially as younger generations face new challenges amid shrinking resources.
The absence of federal recognition has also resonated in the cultural sphere. Pop icon Madonna took to Instagram to condemn President Trump’s decision, calling it "ridiculous," "absurd," and "unthinkable." She wrote, "Today is World AIDS Day. For four decades, this day has been internationally recognized around the world by people from all walks of life, because millions of people’s lives have been touched by the HIV crisis." Madonna, who lost close friends and collaborators to AIDS, including Martin Borgoyne, Chris Flynn, and Keith Haring, vowed to continue honoring the day: "I refuse to acknowledge that these people have died in vain. And I will continue to honor World AIDS Day, and I hope you will honor it with me."
Despite the silence from Washington, the chorus of voices from local leaders, advocates, survivors, and artists has only grown louder. The message is clear: the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over, and neither memory nor action will be erased by a lack of official recognition.
