Fact Check: Has Donald Trump taken away or is he going to take away the 911 hotline for the LGBTQ community?
What We Know
The claim centers on the decision by the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to discontinue its specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth, effective July 17, 2025. This decision was announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which stated that the hotline would no longer "silo" services for LGBTQ+ youth and would instead focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the specialized program (AP News, BBC).
The LGBTQ+ youth program had been operational since September 2022 and provided tailored support options through a specific menu option on the hotline. It reportedly served nearly 1.3 million callers during its operation (AP News). The decision to eliminate this specialized service has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that it undermines support for a vulnerable demographic that is at a higher risk of suicide (NPR, Washington Post).
The Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal included cuts to funding for these LGBTQ+ services, which has been interpreted as a move to diminish support for LGBTQ+ youth (AP News, New York Times). Critics, including the Trevor Project, have expressed that this decision could have harmful implications for LGBTQ+ youth who rely on these services (BBC, NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that Donald Trump is responsible for the removal of the LGBTQ+ hotline services is partially true. The decision to eliminate the specialized support was made by the current administration, but it was influenced by budgetary proposals and policies initiated during Trump's presidency. While Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, which established the 988 hotline, his administration has also been associated with efforts to cut funding for LGBTQ+ services (AP News, CNN).
The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is generally high. Major news organizations like the Associated Press, BBC, and NPR provide well-researched reporting and have a history of covering LGBTQ+ issues. However, it is essential to note that the framing of the issue can vary, with some sources emphasizing the political implications of the decision more than others. For instance, the Trevor Project's CEO described the decision as "incomprehensible," indicating a strong advocacy perspective that may introduce bias (AP News, NBC News).
Moreover, the context surrounding the decision, including ongoing political debates about LGBTQ+ rights and mental health services, adds complexity to the analysis. The elimination of specialized services could be seen as part of a broader trend of reducing support for marginalized communities, which has been a hallmark of Trump's policies (BBC, Washington Post).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim is "Partially True." While the current administration is responsible for the decision to eliminate the LGBTQ+ youth hotline services, the groundwork for this change was laid during Trump's presidency through budget proposals that aimed to cut funding for such programs. Therefore, while Trump did not directly take away the hotline, his administration's policies have contributed to the current situation.
Sources
- 988 hotline removing LGBTQ+ youth support next month | AP News
- Trump administration ends LGBTQ youth option on US ... | BBC
- Trump administration ends 988 suicide prevention service for LGBTQ+ ... | NPR
- Trump administration to shut LGBTQ youth-focused suicide ... | Washington Post
- Trump Administration Will End Trevor Project's Work With National ... | New York Times
- Trump administration to end 988 suicide prevention specialized ... - CNN
- Trump ends funding for LGBTQ youth option on national suicide hotline | NBC News
