Biden Administration Allocates $267M to Grants Addressing ‘Misinformation’

A recent report reveals that the Biden administration has funneled a staggering $267 million toward research grants that mention “misinformation” since 2021. This spending, disclosed by the transparency group OpenTheBooks, has ignited concerns about federal overreach and potential misuse of taxpayer dollars to influence public opinion.

According to OpenTheBooks, $127 million was specifically allocated to study the spread of misinformation or persuade Americans to adopt public health measures, particularly those related to COVID-19 mandates and guidelines.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) led the spending with $185 million, followed by $65 million from the National Science Foundation and $12 million from the State Department. A methodology note in the report suggests that the total could be even higher, as some grants may not explicitly mention the keyword “misinformation.”

The report points to a sharp increase in government interest in combating misinformation beginning in 2021, raising questions about the administration’s motives and transparency.

The report also highlights the “We Can Do This” campaign, launched in August 2020 under HHS to shape public responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Costing over $900 million, the campaign promoted messaging on mask usage, vaccine effectiveness, and social distancing.

Yet, OpenTheBooks contends the administration itself spread misinformation, particularly regarding:

• The effectiveness of masks in preventing transmission.

• The risks COVID-19 posed to children.

• The need for vaccinating infants.

• The impact of school and business closures.

The report echoes findings from a recent House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee investigation, which called into question the campaign’s accuracy and its implications for public trust.

Former President Donald Trump, who is set to take office again in January, has vowed to end what he calls federal policing of lawful speech. In December 2022, he pledged to sign an executive order on his first day back in office to prohibit federal agencies from colluding with outside organizations to censor Americans’ speech.

“I will then ban federal money from being used to label domestic speech as ‘mis’- or dis-information,’” Trump declared. “And I will begin the process of identifying and firing every federal bureaucrat who has engaged in domestic censorship directly or indirectly.”

The Biden administration’s spending raises fundamental questions about the role of government in shaping public opinion. While officials argue these grants combat harmful misinformation, critics see a disturbing trend of taxpayer dollars funding politically driven narratives.

As Trump prepares to assume office, Americans can expect a drastic pivot in how the federal government approaches free speech and public discourse. The $267 million revelation underscores the stakes in this ongoing battle over censorship and accountability.

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