The NEA drew ridicule for misspelling “fascism” in a resolution condemning Trump, fueling criticism from across social media.

Teachers’ Union Resolution Misspells “Fascism,” Sparks Online Mockery

The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in the United States, faced a wave of social media criticism this week after a spelling error appeared in an anti-Trump resolution passed at its annual convention. The agenda item, posted online by conservative education advocate Corey A. DeAngelis, pledged that the NEA would “defend democracy against Trump’s embrace of fascism.” However, the resolution repeatedly used the misspelled term “facism [sic],” drawing sharp ridicule.

The proposal asserted that the NEA’s “members and material resources must be committed to the defense of the democratic and educational conditions required by our hopes for a just society and the survival of civilization itself by stating the truth.” The union resolved to use the word “fascism” in its materials to describe Trump’s policies, but the misspelling quickly became the focus of public attention.

Commentators online seized on the irony of a teachers’ union making such a high-profile spelling error. “Yes, the union that claims to represent educators couldn’t even spell ‘fascism’ correctly in its official resolution attacking the president,” DeAngelis wrote in an opinion piece, highlighting what he called the “rich irony” of the situation.

On social media platform X, users wasted no time in mocking the NEA. One user wrote, “Not only are they ideologues, they can’t spell.” Others expressed concern over what they described as the politicization of educational institutions. “America’s institutions are being controlled by fringe political activists,” one user warned after the NEA announced its intent to label Trump’s agenda as fascist.

Criticism Over Union Priorities and Partisanship

Tina Descovich, CEO and co-founder of the advocacy group Moms for Liberty, also weighed in, criticizing the union for focusing on political activism instead of core educational issues like math and reading. “They can’t even define fascism in their proposal, and yet they want to teach America’s children about partisan politics,” Descovich said, underscoring growing frustrations over what some see as misplaced priorities in public education.

Chip Rogers, CEO of Americans for Fair Treatment, took aim at union dues being used for what he termed “hyper-partisan political activities,” urging teachers to reconsider their support for union-led political efforts. “Teachers’ money should not be taken from them to fund the union’s hyper-partisan political activities,” Rogers argued, calling for unions to “get out of politics.”

The NEA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The controversy has reignited debate over the role of teachers’ unions in political discourse and the balance between advocacy and educational focus. As the episode circulates on social media, it stands as a reminder of how even minor errors can have major consequences in the age of digital scrutiny.