WASHINGTON (AP) — In a controversial move, the Trump administration has announced the end of the federal government's annual report on hunger in America, claiming the report had become overly politicized and rife with inaccuracies. This decision arrives just months after President Trump signed sweeping legislation that significantly slashed food assistance programs for low-income individuals.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the recently passed tax and spending cuts will result in approximately 3 million people losing their eligibility for food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits. The USDA revealed that the 2024 report, set to be released on October 22, would be the last of its kind.
In a press release, the USDA stated, The questions used to collect the data are entirely subjective and do not present an accurate picture of actual food security. They claimed that, under the Trump administration, poverty rates have declined, wages have risen, and job growth is evident, contradicting the findings that the report might suggest.
The Census Bureau recently reported a decrease in the U.S. poverty rate from 11% to 10.6%, demarcating the year prior to Trump's presidency.
Critics have been vocal regarding the administration's decision, suggesting it would hinder efforts to measure hunger accurately and assess the fallout from cuts to SNAP benefits. Bobby Kogan, senior director at the Center for American Progress, criticized the cancellation, suggesting it reflects a trend seen in non-democratic regimes, which often manipulate or dismiss unfavorable reports.
