Millions spent by Biden on COVID 'vaccine hesitancy' campaign slashed by Trump NIH: report

More than 40 grants are on the chopping block, according to the Post's report, and when notifying researchers of the NIH's termination, they should be told "not to prioritize research activities that focuses gaining scientific knowledge on why individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated and/or explore ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment."

Fox News Digital has reached out to NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for comment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allocated more than $17 million over three weeks in February 2021, CBS News reported at the time, to 15 organizations advocating for Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American populations. Progressive groups UnidosUS and National Urban League were granted $3.2 million and $2 million, respectively.

"Sure enough, the feds have spent at least $127 million in grants specifically targeted to study the spread of 'misinformation' - or to help people 'overcome' it, so to speak - by persuading them to go along with COVID-related public health recommendations and mandates," the Open the Books report said.

It's unclear if the cancelation of grants came from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., but the Trump administration has been highly critical of the previous administration's spending. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has also been taking a scalpel to DEI-related funding amid President Donald Trump's effort to downsize the government workforce.