Fact check: Is Trump getting rid of meals on wheels?

1. Summary of the results

The claim that "Trump is getting rid of Meals on Wheels" requires significant context. While the program isn't being directly eliminated, several actions are affecting its funding and operations:

• The Administration for Community Living, which oversees Meals on Wheels, is being dismantled with reduced staff and closed regional offices ^[1]
• The 2025 Continuing Appropriations Act did not extend funding for the program ^[2]
• The program faces potential cuts through targeting of the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original question:

• The national Meals on Wheels organization receives only 3% of its funding from federal grants, with 84% coming from individual contributions ^[4]
• The main threat comes from proposed cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, not direct elimination ^{[4] [5]}
• Most Meals on Wheels funding actually comes through the Older Americans Act via the Administration for Community Living ^[5]
• The organization is facing challenges from flat funding levels and rising costs, rather than outright elimination ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question oversimplifies a complex funding situation:

• Democratic Perspective: Democratic senators frame this as a deliberate attempt to "gut" the program through various funding mechanisms ^[3]
• Administrative Perspective: The changes appear to be part of broader policy consolidation and staffing changes at HHS, rather than a direct attack on Meals on Wheels ^[2]
• Financial Reality: While the program isn't being eliminated, the combination of administrative changes, lack of funding extensions, and potential block grant cuts could significantly impact service delivery at the local level ^[2]

Those benefiting from portraying this as a direct "elimination" include:

• Democratic politicians using it as a political talking point against Republicans
• Advocacy groups seeking to mobilize support and donations

Those benefiting from minimizing the impact include:

• The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers seeking to implement budget cuts
• Organizations supporting broader government spending reduction