Fact Check: Trump's administration claims LGBTQ health research is 'unscientific'.

Published June 29, 2025

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VERDICT

True

# Fact Check: "Trump's administration claims LGBTQ health research is 'unscientific'" ## What We Know The Trump administration significantly reduced ...

Fact Check: "Trump's administration claims LGBTQ health research is 'unscientific'"

What We Know

The Trump administration significantly reduced funding for LGBTQ health research, with over $800 million worth of projects canceled, many of which were focused on health issues affecting sexual minority groups. According to an analysis by The New York Times, nearly half of the 669 terminated grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were related to LGBTQ health. The administration justified these cuts by stating that some research was "based on gender identity" and produced "unscientific" results that ignored "biological realities" (NPR). Furthermore, termination letters indicated that the research was deemed to have little identifiable return on investment and did not enhance the health of many Americans (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that the Trump administration labeled LGBTQ health research as "unscientific" is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times details how the administration's cuts were framed around the assertion that such research was ideologically biased and not aligned with the agency's priorities. This perspective was echoed by Roger Severino from the Heritage Foundation, who criticized the research as being based on an "unscientific premise" ([source-1]).

NPR reported that researchers received letters from the NIH stating that their projects were terminated because they involved transgender issues, which were characterized as "unscientific" ([source-2]). This aligns with the broader narrative of the administration's approach to scientific research, which has been criticized for prioritizing political agendas over empirical evidence. The Associated Press also confirmed that termination letters cited the research as "unscientific" ([source-3]).

However, it is essential to consider the potential biases of the sources. The New York Times and NPR are generally regarded as reputable news organizations, but they may have editorial slants that could influence their reporting. The Heritage Foundation, on the other hand, is a conservative think tank, which may present a more biased perspective in support of the administration's actions.

Conclusion

The claim that the Trump administration characterized LGBTQ health research as "unscientific" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources indicates that the administration actively canceled significant funding for LGBTQ health research, justifying these actions with claims of unscientific methodologies and a lack of alignment with agency priorities. This reflects a broader trend of politicizing scientific research under the Trump administration.

Sources

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