Fact Check: Trump Claims $8 Million for Making Mice Transgender
What We Know
During a recent speech, former President Donald Trump made a controversial statement regarding government spending on transgender-related research involving mice. He claimed that Elon Musk was involved in identifying "wasteful government spending," specifically mentioning "$8 million for making mice transgender." This remark has sparked significant discussion on social media, with many labeling it as bizarre.
Trump's comments appear to reference a subcommittee hearing led by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., titled “Transgender Lab Rats and Poisoned Puppies: Oversight of Taxpayer Funded Animal Cruelty.” In her opening remarks, Mace cited a report from the White Coat Waste Project, which alleged that over $10 million in taxpayer funds had been wasted on creating transgender mice, rats, and monkeys in university labs (source-3).
Analysis
Trump's assertion about the "$8 million for making mice transgender" seems to be an exaggerated summary of the findings presented in the aforementioned hearing. The White Coat Waste Project's report, which Mace referenced, indeed claimed that more than $10 million was spent on creating transgender animals for research purposes. However, the specific figure of $8 million attributed to "making mice transgender" lacks clarity and context, as it is not explicitly detailed in the report (source-5).
The credibility of the White Coat Waste Project, a watchdog organization focused on government spending in animal testing, is somewhat mixed. While it aims to reduce wasteful spending, its framing of the issue may carry an inherent bias against animal research, potentially influencing the interpretation of the data presented. Furthermore, the media's portrayal of Trump's comments has been inconsistent, with some outlets claiming he "falsely" stated that the money was specifically for making mice transgender, while others acknowledge the broader context of the research (source-7).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump mentioned "$8 million for making mice transgender" is rooted in a real discussion about government spending on animal research, albeit with a lack of precise context. While the figure may not be entirely accurate as presented, it reflects a genuine concern raised in the congressional hearing about how taxpayer dollars are allocated. Therefore, the claim can be deemed True, albeit with the caveat that it is a simplification of a more complex issue.
