It all begins with CNN retracting and modifying a fact-check that initially challenged a statement made by President Trump during his Joint Address to Congress. During this address, President Trump highlighted various examples of financial mismanagement and frivolous government spending that had been identified by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Among these examples was the claim that $8 million had been allocated for the purpose of “making mice transgender.”
In his compelling speech, President Trump informed the nation of the vast amounts of taxpayer money seemingly squandered due to fraud and unnecessary expenditures, declaring, “We found hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud, and we’ve taken back the money and reduced our debt to fight inflation and other things.” Standing firmly on the principle of fiscal responsibility, Trump aimed to showcase the importance of vigilance against reckless spending in order to protect American interests.
Initially, CNN swiftly issued a fact-check challenging the claim about transgender mice, labeling it incorrectly as, “Trump falsely claimed that the Department of Government Efficiency identified government spending of ‘$8 million for making mice transgender.’” However, this façade quickly collapsed when the White House released documentation evidencing that $8.3 million had indeed been allocated for undertakings involving “studies that involve mice receiving treatments that can be used in gender-affirming health care.”
In an attempt to save face, CNN acknowledged the claim as broadly correct but insisted on context, arguing that “the studies were meant to figure out how these treatments might affect the health of humans who take them, not for the purpose of making mice transgender.” Nevertheless, this feeble justification fails to resonate with those seeking accountability and fiscal discipline in government expenditures. The footnote in their revised fact-check sheepishly admits, “An earlier version of this item incorrectly characterized as false Trump’s claim about federal money being spent for ‘making mice transgender.’ The article has been updated with context about the spending, which was for research studies on the potential human health impacts of treatments used in gender-affirming care.”
This situation underscores the importance of honest discourse and accuracy in media reporting, particularly when it involves scrutiny of governmental financial practices. Media outlets need to prioritize integrity and fact-based journalism to ensure the American public is accurately informed about issues that directly impact the nation’s economy and policies.
CNN just quietly edited their "fact check" article after they reported that Trump's statement on spending $8 million for making mice transgender was "false."
It sounds so crazy that they thought Trump made it up…
It’s 100% true and now even CNN is forced to admit it pic.twitter.com/oVETMXbKQG
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 5, 2025
The broader context involves ongoing debates about government accountability and the allocation of federal resources, a stance President Trump has consistently championed. By spotlighting questionable spending, like the “transgender mice” expenditure, Trump continues to advocate for policies that guard against misuse and promote efficient use of taxpayer money. This reflects a broader political philosophy resistant to unchecked government growth and favoring a lean, effective administration that addresses the needs and security of its citizens while avoiding wasteful programs.