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The Trump administration has officially cut over $1 million in federal funding for a controversial National Institutes of Health (NIH) project that studied hormone therapy in lab rats.
The study, conducted at the University of the Pacific in California, aimed to examine whether rats undergoing hormone therapy were more likely to overdose on gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a recreational drug.
Watchdog Investigation Leads to Funding Termination
The decision to halt funding came after an investigation by the White Coat Waste Project, a watchdog group exposing taxpayer-funded animal experiments. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under the Trump administration and led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, terminated the grant on March 21 after reports revealed the project’s controversial nature.
Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by Fox News showed that the study involved:
✅ Castrating male rats and injecting them with estrogen.
✅ Removing female rats’ ovaries and injecting them with testosterone.
✅ Administering GHB to observe overdose risks in hormone-treated animals.
Reactions to the Funding Cut
Anthony Bellotti, founder of White Coat Waste Project, hailed the move as "a great victory for taxpayers and animals." He criticized the use of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) funds for what he called “cruel and unnecessary experiments” that serve no real scientific purpose.
However, supporters of the research argued that it could provide important insights into overdose risks for transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy.
Congressional Backlash and Support for Trump's Decision
The study was highlighted in a House Oversight Committee hearing titled:
🛑 “Transgender Lab Rats and Poisoned Puppies: Oversight of Taxpayer-Funded Animal Cruelty.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) condemned the study, saying:
"We spent over $1M to find out if female rats receiving testosterone therapy were more likely to overdose on a date rape drug. Thanks to President Trump and DOGE, these inhumane experiments are finally being shut down."
Sen. Joni Ernst, Chairman of the Senate DOGE Caucus, also praised the decision:
"Since last year, I’ve exposed how the Biden administration got caught in the woke mousetrap and wasted millions of tax dollars on transgender animal experiments. I’m grateful that President Trump and DOGE are eliminating this wacky pseudoscience."
Trump Administration Continues Cutting 'Wasteful' Research
This is the tenth research grant terminated under the Trump administration as part of a broader effort to reduce what it deems as wasteful government spending.
The move aligns with Trump’s stance against excessive DEI funding and controversial scientific studies.
As debates continue over ethical research funding, one thing is clear: the Trump administration is committed to reshaping how taxpayer dollars are spent in the field of science and medicine.
