Trump Administration Federal Grant Oversight Reveals Zoo Applied for ‘Panda-monium Relief’ Funds Using Only Stuffed Animals as Proof of Existence
As the meme historians look on, the irony is thick enough to spread on toast: The same Trump administration that slashed regulations faster than a toddler rips wrapping paper now finds itself drowning in grant oversight forms. The latest viral gem? A zoo in Ohio apparently applied for federal funds claiming it housed giant pandas, but when auditors showed up, they found only a collection of plush, stuffed pandas from a carnival game. The application, which listed “Panda-monium Relief” as the project title, allegedly included a photo of a staff member wearing a panda onesie as “proof of life.” Critics are howling that this is just the tip of the iceberg, while defenders argue it’s a classic case of “how to waste taxpayer money with a straight face.” The takeaway? Even when the government tries to check its own homework, someone always turns in a coloring book.