Elon Musk ignited a fresh controversy on Thursday, claiming on X that President Joe Biden’s administration ordered an “insane slaughter of 150 million egg-laying chickens,” leading to higher egg prices. However, the mass culling of infected birds has been a long-standing USDA policy—one that was also followed under former President Donald Trump.
Musk’s feedback were in response to a popular blog blaming Trump for rising ovum prices. “It’s true,” Musk wrote. “There was an insane slaughter of 150 million egg-laying chickens ordered by the Biden administration.”
What’s actually happening?
The truth is that the USDA’s stamping-out plan requires that animals infected with highly pathogenic avian flu, or exposed to it, be depopulated to stop further spread. Since the pandemic began in February 2022, an estimated 166 million species have been culled, reported Forbes.
While the bulk of the slaughter happened under Biden, the legislation remains constant under Trump, with at least 13 million animals culled since February. The USDA has huge maintained that there is no cure for bird flu and that large slaughter is the only way to contain occurrences.
Is Trump changing the plan?
Despite his presidency criticizing Biden for large cullings, Trump has never altered the plan. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently announced a$ 1 billion investment to help poultry farmers combat the crisis—but there is no official plan to stop culling infected flocks.
USDA officers have stated that they are exploring strategies to reduce the need for large emigration, but no changes have been made.
Egg costs and social blame game
Egg prices have surged due to the bird flu outbreak, with January prices up 53 % year-over-year, according to the Consumer Price Index. Trump supporters, including Musk and Rollins, have used large chicken costs as a political tool against Biden. But, since Trump took office, chicken costs have continued to rise, with some food outlets limiting chicken payments and franchises like Waffle House and Denny’s adding fees to egg-based foods.
While Musk’s say adds fuel to the conversation, the reality is that both administrations have followed the same scheme, and chicken prices remain a concern under Trump’s view.
