The Claim: "The Biden Administration Spent $8 Million to Make Mice Transgender"

Introduction

In recent political discourse, a claim emerged regarding the Biden administration's funding of research that allegedly involved "making mice transgender." This assertion was notably highlighted by former President Donald Trump during a speech, where he cited an expenditure of $8 million as an example of government waste. This claim has since sparked considerable debate and confusion, particularly regarding the terminology used—specifically the distinction between "transgender" and "transgenic." This article aims to dissect the claim, analyze the context, and present the evidence surrounding this contentious issue.

Background

The claim originated during Trump's address to Congress on March 4, 2025, where he stated, "Just listen to some of the appalling waste we have already identified: $8 million for making mice transgender" [9]. This statement was met with immediate scrutiny and fact-checking efforts, particularly from media outlets like CNN, which initially labeled it as false. However, subsequent developments revealed that the White House later affirmed Trump's statement, leading to further confusion and debate about the accuracy of the claim and the nature of the research involved.

Analysis

The Terminology: Transgender vs. Transgenic

A significant aspect of this claim revolves around the terminology used. "Transgender" refers to individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, while "transgenic" pertains to organisms that have been genetically modified to include DNA from another species [4][10]. Critics of Trump's statement suggested he may have confused these terms, but the White House maintained that he was indeed referring to "transgender" research [3][4].

The Nature of the Research

The research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Biden administration involved various studies related to gender-affirming treatments and their effects on mice. The total amount cited by Trump—$8 million—was derived from several NIH-funded projects, which included:

• $2.5 million for studying reproductive consequences of steroid hormone administration.
• $299,940 for examining gender-affirming testosterone therapy on breast cancer risk.
• $3.1 million for investigating gonadal hormones as mediators of sex and gender influences in asthma [1][7].

While these studies involved hormone treatments and their effects on mice, they did not explicitly aim to "make mice transgender." Instead, they focused on understanding the implications of gender-affirming treatments, which can have broader applications in both human and veterinary medicine.

Evidence

The White House issued a press release titled "Yes, Biden Spent Millions on Transgender Animal Experiments," which outlined the funding details and the specific studies involved [2][7]. This document served to validate Trump's claim, asserting that the NIH had indeed allocated substantial funds for research involving gender-affirming therapies in animal models.

However, the framing of the research as "making mice transgender" has been criticized for being misleading. The studies referenced do not create transgender mice but rather investigate the effects of hormone treatments on existing biological processes in mice. For instance, one study aimed to test the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on immune responses related to HIV vaccines, which has implications for both transgender individuals and broader medical research [1][9].

Media Response and Fact-Checking

The media's initial response to Trump's claim was to label it as false, with outlets like CNN retracting their statements after the White House confirmed the funding details [5][6]. This retraction highlighted the complexities involved in accurately reporting on scientific research and government funding, especially when political narratives are intertwined with scientific discourse.

Conclusion

The claim that the Biden administration spent $8 million to "make mice transgender" is partially true but requires careful contextualization. While the funding did indeed support research involving gender-affirming treatments in mice, the characterization of this research as "making mice transgender" is misleading. The studies funded were aimed at understanding the effects of hormone treatments rather than creating transgender mice.

This situation underscores the importance of precise language in scientific and political discussions, as well as the need for careful fact-checking in the media. As debates surrounding gender identity and scientific research continue to evolve, it is crucial for both the public and policymakers to engage with these topics thoughtfully and accurately.

References

1. Yes, Biden Spent Millions on Transgender Animal Experiments. The White House. Retrieved from White House Website
2. White House Press Release - Yes, Biden Spent Millions on Transgender Animal Experiments. The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from American Presidency Project
3. Analyzing claim Trump confused 'transgenic mice' with 'transgender mice.' Snopes. Retrieved from Snopes
4. Fact Check: President Trump Did NOT Mistake 'Transgenic' For 'Transgender.' Lead Stories. Retrieved from Lead Stories
5. CNN Steps On A Rake After 'Fact-Checking' Trump's 'Transgender Mice.' MSN. Retrieved from MSN
6. CNN Retracts Fact-Check on Trump's 'Transgender Mice' Comment. CF. Retrieved from CF
7. FACT CHECK: Does the U.S. government fund studies 'making mice transgender'? WCPO. Retrieved from WCPO
8. This Is What's Behind Trump's Uproar Over Transgender Mice. Forbes. Retrieved from Forbes
9. Fact Checking Cory Booker's Claim that Government Did Not Spend $8 Million for Transgendered Mice Experiment. Shore News Network. Retrieved from Shore News Network
10. Fact Check: President Trump Did NOT Mistake 'Transgenic' For 'Transgender' While Talking About Mice Before Congress. Lead Stories. Retrieved from Lead Stories