The Trump administration has cut over $1 million from federally funded animal research, sparking a controversial debate, specifically among conservative Americans who are concerned about wasteful spending.
Quick Takes
- The Trump administration’s NIH stopped over $1 million in funding for research on “transgender animals.”
- The research tested hormone therapy’s impact on overdose risks using rats.
- The White Coat Waste Project exposed the study, revealing taxpayer dollar misuse.
- Legislators Susan Collins and Nancy Mace supported the funding cuts.
Cutting Controversial Funding
The National Institute of Health, under President Trump’s administration, conceded to pressure and cut funding for a project that involved hormone therapy in rats to evaluate overdose risks. This project involved what critics termed as “transgender animals” that underwent rigorous and ethically questionable procedures. The White Coat Waste Project, a watchdog organization, exposed the taxpayer-funded experiment, prompting a backlash against what many see as extravagant spending.
Defunding this research underscores a broader initiative to eliminate what the Trump administration perceives as mismanaged federal funds. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) identified multiple such projects where taxpayer money was channeled into contentious animal experiments. Supporting the decision, legislators emphasized the necessity of redirecting federal dollars towards endeavors with broader public benefits.
Last month, we learned from @JustinRGoodman that Anthony Fauci authorized more than $240 million of taxpayer resources for 'Transgender Animal Testing.'
Thankfully, the Trump administration has already cut millions from these disgusting programs.
Let's keep it going.…
— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) March 18, 2025
The Role of the White Coat Waste Project
The White Coat Waste Project played an instrumental role in highlighting these experiments. They acquired crucial information about the study via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The comprehensive scrutiny led to an informed public debate on the morality and necessity of such studies. The organization successfully delivered testaments before the House Oversight Committee on the misuse of taxpayer dollars.
“This is a great victory for taxpayers and animals,” said Anthony Bellotti, president and founder of White Coat Waste Project.
Placing ethical considerations aside, the financial efficiency of such endeavors came under scrutiny. Funding was allocated to conduct research examining if hormone therapy increased drug overdose risks. Such suppositions demanded evidence, yet the methodology raised concerns among economic conservatives due to the extravagant monetary outlay.
The Trump Administration just canceled another $2.5M in grants for transgender animal testing exposed by WCW.
That's nine transgender animal testing grants cut by the Trump just this month!https://t.co/z09wXQx1VQ
— White Coat Waste Project (@WhiteCoatWaste) March 18, 2025
Political Support for Funding Cuts
The decision to defund these projects received positive reception by several lawmakers who voiced their continued commitment to prevent wasteful spending. Representative Nancy Mace notably criticized the allocation since “$1 million was spent to ascertain if female rats given testosterone therapy were more vulnerable to drug overdoses.” Such exposure prompted further calls to reassess funding criteria for research.
Overall, the White Coat Waste Project’s findings followed by administrative action concurred with fiscal conservatives eager to cut unnecessary expenditures. The broader impact of these revelations continues to resonate across policymaking spheres, ensuring taxpayer-funded research aligns with ethical and fiscal priorities.
