In a recent press briefing, President Trump took a moment to praise Elon Musk for his work at DOGE, a popular cryptocurrency. However, what caught the attention of many was the President’s mention of a debunked claim that the US government had spent $8 million on creating “transgender mice.” This statement has caused quite a stir, with many questioning the validity of the claim and the President’s choice to bring it up in a press briefing.

First, let’s address the claim itself. The idea of “transgender mice” was first brought up in 2016 by a group of researchers at the University of California, Davis. Their study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aimed to understand the effects of hormone exposure on mice. The researchers found that male mice exposed to certain hormones during early development showed changes in their behavior and brain structure that were similar to those seen in female mice. This led to the term “transgender mice” being used in media headlines, but it is important to note that the study did not actually involve any gender identity or sexual orientation. The mice were not “transgender” in the way that humans understand it.

Now, let’s address the President’s claim that the US government spent $8 million on this study. This is simply not true. The study in question received a grant of $3.5 million from the NIH, not $8 million. Furthermore, the study was not solely focused on the effects of hormones on mice, but also looked at the effects on other animals, such as rats and sheep. The $3.5 million grant was not specifically for the study of “transgender mice,” but for a broader research project on the effects of hormone exposure on various animal species.

So why did President Trump bring up this debunked claim in a press briefing? It seems that he was trying to praise Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, for his work at DOGE. Musk has been a vocal supporter of the cryptocurrency, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent months. In fact, Musk’s tweets about DOGE have caused its value to rise significantly. During the press briefing, President Trump mentioned that Musk was “doing incredible work at DOGE,” and then went on to say, “I heard that the US government spent $8 million to make transgender mice. That’s a lot of money. But Elon is doing it for much less and it’s working out great.”

While it is understandable that the President may have been trying to make a lighthearted comment, the fact that he chose to bring up a debunked claim in a press briefing is concerning. As the leader of a country, it is important to fact-check information before sharing it with the public. In this case, the President’s statement not only perpetuates a false claim, but also undermines the important research being done by the University of California, Davis.

Furthermore, the use of the term “transgender mice” in this context is misleading and disrespectful. It reduces the complex and nuanced experiences of transgender individuals to a mere punchline. It is important to remember that gender identity is a deeply personal and individual experience, and should not be used as a joke or a political tool.

In conclusion, while it is commendable that President Trump took a moment to praise Elon Musk for his work at DOGE, it is disappointing that he chose to do so by perpetuating a false claim and using a marginalized community as a punchline. As a society, we should strive to fact-check information and be respectful of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. Let’s focus on the real achievements and contributions of individuals like Elon Musk, rather than spreading misinformation and offensive jokes.