PETA Claims ‘Cat Torture’ Being Funded By Trump

PETA’s latest campaign falsely accuses the Trump administration of funding Russian cat torture, but the truth reveals an entirely different story.

Story Highlights

PETA claims U.S. funds are supporting animal torture overseas, sparking conservative outrage.
White Coat Waste Project reveals funding was cut in 2023, debunking PETA’s claims.
Bipartisan support led to the defunding of Russian animal labs after WCW’s exposé.
PETA’s history of misleading claims is under scrutiny once more.

PETA’s Campaign Sparks Controversy

On January 16, 2026, PETA launched a controversial campaign claiming that U.S. taxpayer dollars, via the NIH, are funding experiments by Tatiana Deliagina that involve the mutilation of cats and rabbits in Russia and Sweden. The campaign ignited outrage by suggesting that American funds were being used for cruel and inhumane research practices. However, this assertion was quickly challenged by the White Coat Waste Project (WCW), which revealed that NIH funding for these experiments had ended in 2023.

WCW’s investigation, supported by FOIA documents and federal databases, showed that all Russian animal labs were made ineligible for U.S. funding following their 2022 exposé. This revelation highlights PETA’s reliance on outdated information, as their claims were based on papers published by Deliagina in 2025 using historical data from experiments conducted before 2023.

White Coat Waste and Legislative Action

White Coat Waste’s efforts were pivotal in ending NIH funding for Russian animal labs. Through strategic lobbying and collaboration with bipartisan lawmakers such as Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), WCW succeeded in cutting off funds. This action was part of a broader movement to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not wasted on international animal research, particularly in countries with strained diplomatic relations like Russia.

The organization’s ability to mobilize support and leverage Congressional influence underscores the power of targeted advocacy in shaping policy. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of transparency and public accountability in addressing taxpayer concerns over government spending.

PETA’s Pattern of Misleading Campaigns

PETA’s recent campaign is not the first time the organization has faced allegations of misleading the public. The group has a history of making claims that have later been debunked or criticized for lacking factual basis. In 2021, PETA criticized the Trump administration for supposedly inaction on animal testing, despite several victories led by WCW during that period. Moreover, in 2025, PETA attempted to take credit for the shutdown of an NIH beagle lab, a move that was rightfully attributed to WCW’s efforts.

This pattern of behavior has led to a credibility crisis for PETA within conservative circles, where the organization is often viewed as promoting a liberal agenda at the expense of truth and transparency. The latest incident further cements their reputation for using sensationalism over substantiated facts.

PETA's Latest Hoax Exposed: Liberal Animal Rights Group Falsely Claims Trump Funding Russian Cat Torture, But White Coat Waste and Republican Lawmakers Ended It Years Ago https://t.co/zsln17u1FJ #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit

— ⭐Eagle One⭐ (@EagleInTheCloud) January 17, 2026

The implications of this campaign are significant, as they could potentially undermine genuine efforts to reform animal testing practices. By spreading misinformation, PETA risks alienating potential allies and distracting from the real issues that require attention and action.