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Donald Trump Backs off Defunding Special Olympics After Criticism of Decision

President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday he has ordered his administration to change a budget proposal that would have defunded the Special Olympics.

"The Special Olympics will be funded. I just told my people, 'I want to fund the Special Olympics,'" Trump said. "I heard about it this morning. I have overridden my people. We're funding the Special Olympics."

A budget proposed this week by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for the 2020 fiscal year cut all $17.6 million in funding for the Special Olympics, a program which provides sports and recreation activities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities both in the U.