Did the Trump administration ban Julianne Moore's book "Freckleface Strawberry" from Department of Defense schools? No, that's not true: A Department of Defense spokesperson said, "We are conducting a review -- no materials have been permanently removed from our school libraries pending completion of the review." The review process began due to executive orders from President Donald Trump and guidance from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, according to the spokesperson.
The claim appeared in a post (archived here) published on Instagram by actress and author Julianne Moore on February 16, 2025, under the title "BANNED By the Department of Defense." It opened:
It is a great shock for me to learn that my first book, Freckleface Strawberry, has been banned by the Trump Administration from schools run by the Department of Defense. Freckleface Strawberry is a semi-autobiographical story about a seven year old girl who dislikes her freckles but eventually learns to live with them when she realizes that she is different 'just like everybody else.' It is a book I wrote for my children and for other kids to remind them that we all struggle, but are united by our humanity and our community.
This is what the post looked like on Instagram at the time of writing:
(Source: Instagram screenshot taken on Thu Feb 20 18:51:25 2025 UTC)
Moore's post continued:
I am particularly stunned because I am a proud graduate of Frankfurt American High School a #DOD school that once operated in Frankfurt, Germany. I grew up with a father who is a Vietnam veteran and spent his career in the #USArmy. I could not be prouder of him and his service to our country. It is galling for me to realize that kids like me, growing up with a parent in the service and attending a @dodea_edu school will not have access to a book written by someone whose life experience is so similar to their own. And I can't help but wonder what is so controversial about this picture book that cause it to be banned by the US Government. I am truly saddened and never thought I would see this in a country where freedom of speech and expression is a constitutional right. Thank you to @penamerica for bringing this to my attention. #FAHS #frecklefacestrawberry @uyenloseordraw @thebookgrp
The post does not provide any evidence to support the implied assertion that the White House banned Moore's book "Freckleface Strawberry" from Department of Defense schools. However, Moore did thank PEN America (archived here) for letting her know about the claim.
PEN America's website says this about the organization:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
PEN America, in turn, cited a Guardian article (archived here) published on February 13, 2025, called "Pentagon schools suspend library books for 'compliance review' under Trump orders." The story doesn't say the book was banned but was under review.
Department of Defense Education Activity
Michael O'Day, a public affairs officer for the Department of Defense Education Activity, told Lead Stories in a February 20, 2025, email that "no materials" have been banned at this point. He said:
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is reviewing its current policies and instructional resources in light of recent Executive Orders and Department of Defense guidance. As a Department of Defense entity, DoDEA will fully comply with President's Executive Orders and guidance from the Secretary of Defense.
At this time, we are conducting a review - no materials have been permanently removed from our school libraries pending completion of the review. During this period, materials under review will have access limited to professional staff.
The DoDEA (archived here) runs schools for military families. It manages education for pre-K through 12th grade on behalf of the Defense Department. DoDEA has 160 accredited schools across eight districts in 11 countries, seven U.S. states, Guam and Puerto Rico.
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Other Lead Stories fact checks on claims about politics are here.
