D.C. residents protest Trump’s inauguration with Airbnb blackouts

In January 2017, the United States witnessed the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. In protest against Trump and his controversial remarks regarding the city, some D.C. residents, including Airbnb host Stacy Kane, initiated a movement to take their properties off the rental market for the duration of the inauguration. This initiative, combined with calls to increase rental prices and donate proceeds to liberal causes, aimed to send a message to Trump supporters that they were not welcome in the area. The action was seen as a reaction to Trump’s past criticisms of D.C., where he referred to it as 'filthy and crime-ridden.' Trump’s relationship with the city had been further complicated by his views on local governance and protests following significant social movements. There were doubts about the extent to which the initiative would gain traction, with some local officials expressing skepticism about the potential participation of Airbnb hosts. Regardless, those motivated by the blackouts viewed it as a necessary stand against what they perceived as hate and divisiveness. While only a small number had signed up to participate initially, the situation was emblematic of the tension between Trump's administration and several communities across the nation. In the face of challenges to local governance and the socio-political landscape, this protest formed a part of a broader resistance against Trump’s policies and rhetoric in the nation’s capital.