In a time where various issues are polarized into left-versus-right debates, a new unexpected topic has emerged: fonts. The US State Department is now focused on the typography used in its documents, with the Trump-led government deeming the current Calibri font as “wasteful.” Consequently, officials have been instructed to revert to the classic Times New Roman font.
Effective December 10th, US diplomats will transition away from Calibri, which had replaced Times New Roman in 2023 under the Biden administration. The move to Calibri was based on its perceived accessibility due to the absence of serifs, making it more legible, especially for individuals with visual impairments. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has criticized this change as unnecessary and labeled it as “wasteful,” prompting a return to the traditional Times New Roman font.
The debate over font choices stems from the differing visual impacts of serif and sans-serif fonts. While Calibri was selected for its readability benefits, the current administration argues that it presents a less formal appearance for diplomatic communications. Secretary Rubio has mandated the return to Times New Roman to uphold a more traditional and professional aesthetic, emphasizing the use of 14-point font size for all documents.
Notably, the designer of Calibri, Lucas de Groot, expressed disappointment with this reversal, highlighting Calibri’s design intent to offer enhanced readability on modern screens. The shift between Calibri and Times New Roman reflects a broader trend where even font choices are becoming part of political discourse, underscoring the significance placed on such seemingly minor details by governments.