At NIH event, Trump and Melania made an awkward, comically hypocritical speech on women’s health amid research cuts
A speech takes a detour
Melania Trump opened the Monday event by declaring, “Now is the time,” then spoke about women’s hopes, dreams and experiences of love. Donald Trump followed, but began with remarks about the Rose Garden, a new heliport and plans for a ballroom and military complex.
He also said prices were falling before turning to women’s health. Trump said Melania had told him that the NIH lacked a women’s health division, and announced that one would now be created. The piece describes the announcement as a sharp contrast with the event’s focus on gardens and construction.
Earlier orders and research cuts
Joe Biden signed an executive order in 2024 with similar stated aims, according to the article. That order emphasized funding research, improving access, encouraging innovation among businesses and universities, and strengthening accountability for federal research grants.
After Trump returned to office, federal agencies began flagging research grants that included the word “women” and withdrawing funding, the article says. It argues that this could deter students from pursuing research into conditions such as endometriosis and pre-eclampsia.
What the new order revokes
Trump’s order revokes Biden’s 2024 measure and a 2023 order that established a similar White House task force. The article says the new order recreates a task force while undoing the earlier steps.
The author also links the announcement to the approaching midterms and Trump’s weak polling among women. The article’s assessment is that the order offers little in practical terms, given the earlier cuts to women’s health research.
Key points
- Trump announced a new women’s health division at the NIH.
- His order revokes Biden’s 2024 order and a 2023 task force measure.
- The article says federal agencies withdrew grants flagged for the word “women.”
- The piece argues the announcement’s impact will be limited.