President Trump said Thursday the administration will reverse course on a proposed $18 million funding cut for the Special Olympics, which would have zeroed out federal funding for the program.
“The Special Olympics will be funded. I just told my people I want to fund the Special Olympics,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, responding to Education Department budget documents sent to Congress.
“I’ve been to the Special Olympics. I think it’s incredible, and I just authorized a funding,” Trump said. “I heard about it this morning. I have overridden my people, we’re funding the Special Olympics.”
The Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, celebrates athletic achievement among people with intellectual and physical disabilities. It receives most of its money from private donations.
[Opinion: Trump administration proposal to cut Special Olympics funding may be unpopular, but it’s right]
