It’s been a subject of debate that Donald Trump really dislikes children. And I'm more than certain that the feeling is mutual. You could see the disgust on his face when Elon Musk’s kid was putting his germy hands all over Trump’s desk.
Perhaps that’s why, during the first two months of his presidency, Trump seems to have it out for kids. As Trump continues his illegal and unconstitutional retribution tour, his assault on children has been a glaring part of it. What did children do to Trump that has him seeking such revenge on them? These assaults will inevitably lead to Trump leaving a legacy where our youth are less educated, less healthy, and less compassionate.
In the aftermath of his re-election in November 2024, Trump has embarked on a series of policy shifts that have emerged threatening the well-being and development of our nation's children. One of the most alarming developments is, of course, the administration's aggressive move to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
This week the workforce was slashed by nearly half, reducing the number of employees from over 4,100 to about 2,180. Trump's broader goal is abolishing the department, ostensibly shifting all education responsibilities to the states.
However, critics, including education advocates, rightly warn that such drastic cuts could harm public education, increase class sizes, and decrease the quality of education. The department remains responsible for managing essential programs, including student loans, Pell Grants, and funding for special-needs students. Of course, as in everything else he does, Trump targets the disadvantaged.
The Pell Grant program, a cornerstone of federal financial aid for low-income students, is facing a projected $2.7 billion budget shortfall in 2025. This deficit is attributed to new eligibility requirements that have increased the number of Pell recipients by 12.6 percent from 2023 to 2024.
The Congressional Budget Office now projects that the program will be short nearly $10 billion by the end of the 2026 fiscal year. This financial strain threatens to limit access to higher education for underprivileged students, exacerbating existing inequalities.
As a side note, I met the patrician late Rhode Island Sen. Claiborne Pell, the namesake for the grant, and went to his home for a party in Georgetown once. He was one of the most dignified senators in U.S. history. Not only would he be aghast that his venerable program is being kicked at by conservatives, he would be mortified by what was happening in today’s U.S. Congress. Finally, I think his heart would be broken to see what Trump is doing to higher education.
The Pell program is managed by the Department of Education, and the complexity of the processes, managing the program, and making up for the shortfall can’t simply be passed on to the states. If Trump does away with the DOE and cuts the program, guess who is most affected? Right, underprivileged kids.
And as was reported this week, many universities and colleges are cutting back and instituting hiring freezes in the wake of the Trump administration's threats to cut contracts, financial aid, and research dollars to higher education.
In a ranking of 200 countries, the United States ranks 31st in education, according to the World Population Review. Even Trump’s beloved Russia ranks higher at 22nd, and our economic adversary China also ranks way ahead of us at 13th. God help us if the DOE is taken away, universities get stripped to the gills, and students are forced out of government education programs, health insurance, and grants because they’re too poor and hungry…and sick…to participate.
Speaking of sick, simultaneously while all the above takes place comes the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services. He has raised not only five-alarm firebells but significant public health concerns. Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine stance, assumed office amid a severe measles outbreak in the southwestern United States. The outbreak resulted in over 200 cases and two deaths, the first measles fatalities in nearly a decade.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Kennedy downplayed the outbreak, inaccurately stating that such occurrences are "not unusual" and misrepresenting hospitalization reasons. His response has drawn sharp criticism from health experts, who emphasize that the deaths were preventable with proper vaccination.
The wack-a-doodle Kennedy has promoted alternative treatments for the measles, such as vitamin A supplementation and cod liver oil, over established vaccination protocols. It is reminiscent of Trump telling people to inject bleach during the COVID-19 pandemic.
And here we go again — emphasizing nutrition over vaccines is particularly problematic for underprivileged children, who, unlike the wealthy Kennedy, don’t have the money and may lack access to a balanced diet. This approach not only undermines proven public health strategies but also places undue blame on socioeconomically disadvantaged families for health outcomes beyond their control.
Short answer to a long explanation, Kennedy, like Trump, has no concern for the health of children, particularly those from low-income families.
Which brings us to yet another program on the chopping block that affects kids living in poverty. The administration's budgetary decisions further jeopardize child welfare programs. Proposed cuts to education funding threaten initiatives like the National School Lunch Program, which provides low-cost or free lunches to children in need.
Additionally, potential reductions in the Children's Health Insurance Program could leave millions of children without access to essential health care services. These programs are vital for what? You know the answer by now: the well-being of underprivileged children. Their diminishment could lead to increased hunger and untreated health issues, hindering both academic performance and overall development.
There is also the matter of Trump's continued attack on gender-affirming care for trans youth and his executive order against it. Every major medical association in the U.S. supports gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
See how these dots connect? Sicker, hungrier, dumber, and one more, meaner.
Beyond policy changes, the sociopolitical climate since Trump's reelection has seen a troubling rise in hate speech targeting minority and LGBTQ+ youth. Reports indicate that incidents of bullying and discrimination in schools are increasing, creating hostile environments that impede learning and psychological well-being.
Don’t kid yourself. All the hate coming out of Washington, such as the removal of LGBTQ+ related words and resources from government websites, and attacks on trans people like Rep. Sarah McBride, trans people in the military, and all the anti-trans legislation around the country has consequences.
It sets up a permission structure for intolerance and worse. There have been spikes in calls to suicide hotlines among these vulnerable populations following the election. Moreover, as The Advocate reported just last week, LGBTQ+ youth are experiencing bullying, discrimination, physical violence, conversion therapy, and suicidality in all 50 states, according to the Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.
The correlation between political rhetoric and the mental health of marginalized youth cannot be ignored. Further, we will never know the true extent and repercussions of marginalization and bullying of LGBTQ+ youth since so many suffer in silence. And if society and the Trump administration continue to make these children feel like there’s something wrong with being queer, the consequences will be mind-boggling.
The current administration's hurtful policies and the prevailing sociopolitical atmosphere are converging to create conditions that may leave our children less educated, less healthy, and less kind.
The dismantling of educational infrastructure, the promotion of pseudoscientific health practices, the erosion of critical support programs, and the normalization of hate speech collectively threaten the future of our youth. Nothing is currently being done to safeguard the well-being and potential of the next generation.
And in all that, we might find Trump’s most everlasting legacy — that he made our kids dumber, sicker, and meaner. Now do you believe that Trump really does hate children?
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.
Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ and Allied community. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
