Trump Administration Halts Funding for "Misinformation" Research, Sparking Outcry Among Scientists
The scientific community erupted in protest over the weekend following the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) decision to terminate grants for research focused on misinformation and disinformation. The move, a direct consequence of President Trump’s executive order "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship," effectively halts federal support for studies exploring the spread and impact of false information online. The NSF declared it would no longer fund research deemed to potentially infringe upon the free speech rights of American citizens or promote a specific narrative on matters of public debate. This decision, coupled with the termination of grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many researchers decrying the move as an assault on scientific inquiry and a dangerous disregard for the verifiable truth.
The NSF’s announcement, delivered via a tweet on April 18, 2025, stated its commitment to "creating opportunities for all Americans everywhere, without exclusion of any groups," while simultaneously cutting funding for research exploring crucial societal issues. The agency, however, declined to disclose the precise number of affected grants or their monetary value. The lack of transparency has further fueled concerns among researchers, who are now grappling with the abrupt termination of their projects and the potential long-term consequences for the field. The sudden withdrawal of support has left many researchers in precarious positions, particularly junior scholars whose careers are heavily reliant on grant funding.
Several researchers took to social media platforms to express their dismay and frustration. Maddy Jalbert, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public (CIP), revealed the termination of her NSF fellowship, which focused on mitigating the spread of online misinformation. Jalbert’s research, aimed at developing strategies to counter the proliferation of false narratives, was cut short just eight months into a two-year appointment. The CIP’s connection to the Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), which worked with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to flag potentially problematic online content during the 2020 election, adds another layer of complexity to this unfolding story.
University of Wisconsin professor Mike Wagner, whose research focused on tools to help journalists identify and combat misinformation, characterized the NSF’s decision as a “Friday Night Massacre of accurate information.” Wagner, whose team received substantial funding from the NSF in previous years, lamented the government’s apparent disregard for factual accuracy. Similar sentiments were echoed by Vanderbilt University professor Lisa Fazio, whose research on the formation and correction of false beliefs was also canceled. Fazio expressed concern for the impact on junior scholars, whose career trajectories may be significantly disrupted by these funding cuts.
The implications of these terminations extend beyond individual researchers. Kate Starbird, a University of Washington professor who served on a CISA subcommittee focused on misinformation and disinformation, pointed to the irony of an administration allegedly benefiting from the spread of false information now defunding research aimed at understanding these phenomena. Starbird’s concerns reflect a wider apprehension within the scientific community that this decision represents a politically motivated attack on research that challenges the dominant narrative. The termination of grants exploring online manipulation and propaganda further raises concerns about the administration’s commitment to addressing the growing threat of misinformation in the digital age.
This controversy is not the first instance of the Trump administration clashing with researchers focused on misinformation. Previous reports highlighted efforts to remove videos related to NSF-funded misinformation research from YouTube. The recent closure of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), ostensibly to protect free speech, adds further fuel to the debate surrounding the administration’s approach to combating misinformation. The confluence of these events paints a picture of a concerted effort to curtail research into the spread of false information, raising serious questions about the future of misinformation research and its role in safeguarding democratic processes. The scientific community’s outcry reflects a deep concern that these actions will have far-reaching consequences for the understanding and mitigation of misinformation in an increasingly complex information landscape.
