Trump Administration Cancels Government's Annual Hunger Report Amid Concerns of Politicization and Inaccuracies

The Trump Administration Ends Government's Annual Report on Hunger in America The Trump administration has announced that it will end the federal government's annual report on hunger in America, citing concerns over politicization and inaccuracies. The decision comes just two and a half months after President Donald Trump signed legislation sharply reducing food aid to the poor. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the 2024 report, scheduled for release on October 22, will be the last. In a press release Saturday, the USDA stated that the questions used to collect data are "entirely subjective and do not present an accurate picture of hunger in America." The decision has been met with criticism from anti-hunger advocates, who argue that the report provides crucial information on food insecurity and helps inform policy decisions. "This is a devastating blow to our efforts to address hunger in this country," said Bob Aiken, executive director of Feeding America. "We need accurate data to understand the scope of the problem and to develop effective solutions." Aiken noted that the USDA's report has been a valuable resource for policymakers and advocates alike, providing insights into food insecurity trends and demographic patterns. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the tax and spending cuts bill signed by Trump in July will result in 3 million people losing access to food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits. The legislation was passed with Republican support despite opposition from Democrats and some Republicans who expressed concerns about the impact on low-income households. Critics of the decision argue that ending the report will make it more difficult for policymakers to understand the effects of their actions on vulnerable populations. "The administration's decision to end this report is a clear indication that they are not interested in understanding or addressing hunger in America," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's policies on food assistance. The USDA maintains that the report was becoming increasingly politicized and that the data it collected was unreliable. "The questions used to collect this data are subjective and do not present an accurate picture of hunger in America," said a USDA spokesperson. "We will continue to provide other reports and data on food security, but we will no longer produce this specific report." The decision has sparked concerns among lawmakers and advocates who rely on the report for information on food insecurity. "We need accurate data to make informed decisions about how to address hunger in America," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). "This report was a valuable tool, and its loss will be deeply felt." The fate of the report's successor remains unclear, but advocates are urging policymakers to prioritize accuracy and transparency in their efforts to understand and address food insecurity. As the administration moves forward without the annual report, concerns about hunger and food assistance continue to grow. With 3 million people estimated to lose access to SNAP benefits, the need for accurate data on food insecurity has never been more pressing. *Reporting by Fortune.*