Fact Check: "The Trump administration cut the entire 2026 budget for Food for Peace."
What We Know
The claim that the Trump administration cut the entire 2026 budget for the Food for Peace program is supported by multiple sources. According to the Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request, the Trump administration proposed significant cuts to various USDA programs, including the elimination of funding for Food for Peace, which is designed to provide food aid internationally. The budget proposal indicated that the Food for Peace program, along with other programs such as the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, would see their funding completely removed.
Additionally, reports from Agri-Pulse and The New York Times confirm that the proposed budget included cuts to international food aid programs, specifically stating that the Food for Peace program would be defunded. The budget proposal aimed to reduce USDA funding by approximately 18%, which included a total cut of $5 billion across various programs.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes from official budget documents and reputable news sources. The Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request is a primary source that outlines the proposed cuts, making it a reliable reference. Furthermore, the reporting by Agri-Pulse and The New York Times provides context and corroboration of the budget cuts, enhancing the credibility of the claim.
However, it is important to note that while the proposal to cut funding for Food for Peace was made, the actual implementation of these cuts would depend on congressional approval. As of the time of the budget proposal, the cuts were not yet enacted, which introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding their final outcome. The reporting from Senator Patty Murray also highlights the political implications and debates surrounding these proposed cuts, indicating that they were met with significant opposition.
Conclusion
The claim that the Trump administration cut the entire 2026 budget for Food for Peace is Partially True. While the proposed budget indeed included a complete elimination of funding for the program, the cuts were still subject to congressional approval and had not been finalized at the time of reporting. Therefore, while the intent to cut funding is clear, the actual execution of these cuts remains uncertain.
Sources
- Fiscal-Year-2026-Discretionary-Budget-Request.pdf
- Trump Budget Proposes 18% Cut to USDA Funding
- Senator Murray on President Trump's Budget Request
- How Trump's Cuts Hurt Kansas Farmers, From Food Aid
- Congress Must Reject the Trump Administration's FY 2026 Budget Proposal
- Trump's budget cuts development agencies, U.N. peacekeeping
- USDA secretary talks Trump budget cut to McGovern-Dole
- Trump's 2026 budget proposal calls for $163B in cuts to