In a striking example of misinformation, PETA has once again stumbled in its efforts to vilify the Trump administration. The group falsely claimed that American taxpayer dollars were funding horrific cat experiments in Russia. This assertion was quickly debunked by the animal welfare watchdog, White Coat Waste, alongside Gateway Pundit.
Initially, PETA published an article accusing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of providing funding for grotesque experiments conducted by Russian scientist Tatiana Deliagina. The organization’s claims portrayed graphic details, asserting that the experiments involved painful procedures on cats. However, this narrative began to unravel when White Coat Waste used Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to clarify the facts surrounding NIH funding. As reported, no U.S. funding for such experiments had occurred in years—specifically, since 2020, well before PETA made its claims. Republican lawmakers worked collaboratively to eliminate this funding after White Coat Waste initially raised concerns.
The original article from PETA was archived, but not before it named Moscow institutions as direct recipients of NIH funds for animal abuse. The revisions made by PETA on January 20, changing the article’s title from “Your Tax Dollars Fund Russian Experiments on Cats—Tell NIH No More!” to “Your Tax Money Has Bankrolled Grisly Experiments on Rabbits and Cats—Stop It Now!” demonstrates an attempt to recover from this scandal without publicly acknowledging the inaccuracies of its previous claims.
PETA’s failure to correct its misinformation is highlighted by its choice to alter content quietly rather than issue a straightforward apology. After being challenged by Justin Goodman, Senior Vice President of White Coat Waste, PETA’s claims were revealed to be based on outdated research papers with no evidence of current NIH funding. Goodman stated plainly, “This is fake news from PETA.”
White Coat Waste has firmly established itself as a credible player in the fight against government-backed animal cruelty. Goodman emphasized their success in defunding NIH grants for Russian cat experiments back in 2023, citing bipartisan efforts from lawmakers like Rep. Lisa McClain and Sen. Joni Ernst as pivotal in this campaign. Their advocacy, rooted in robust investigations and public pressure, has led to the disqualification of all Russian animal labs from receiving NIH grants since then.
This isn’t PETA’s first foray into spreading erroneous claims. In 2021, the organization attempted to undermine White Coat Waste’s accomplishments, alleging that the Trump administration had done nothing to curb animal testing. Goodman pushed back against this narrative, asserting that White Coat Waste had indeed garnered support from the Trump administration for vital reforms.
PETA’s conduct raises questions about its commitment to animal welfare, especially considering its record of euthanizing adoptable pets within its shelters. In stark contrast, White Coat Waste’s dedicated work has resulted in significant savings for taxpayers while advancing the cause of animal protection.
Ultimately, this incident underscores the importance of accountability in claims made by organizations. White Coat Waste has proven to be a vigilant watchdog, ensuring that the truth prevails and taxpayer dollars are safeguarded from misuse. Their ongoing efforts shine a light on the need for transparency and responsible advocacy in the realm of animal rights.
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