This summer, the Trump administration's Secretaries of Health and Defense announced plans that could increase testosterone levels in the civilian and military populations. This comes as polls reportedly indicate male voters are increasingly disillusioned with the administration.
In June, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced that the FDA was removing a limitation on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) which had stated its safety and effectiveness "have not been established." This change is part of a series of FDA revisions that could simplify the prescription of testosterone, potentially accelerating a rise in men using TRT. In 2025, nearly 12 million TRT prescriptions were dispensed, a significant increase from fewer than 1 million in 2000.
Weeks later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced mandatory testosterone screening for military service members over the age of 30, and voluntary screening for all members. This initiative is part of an effort to create what Hegseth calls a "High-T department of war." Service members identified with low testosterone will be offered state-sponsored replacement therapy.
The role of testosterone has become a subject of political discussion, with some Republicans reportedly attempting to criminalize providing testosterone for trans youth, while others celebrate high testosterone levels. Jonathan Jarry, a science communicator at McGill University, noted a "sciencewashing" of regressive beliefs, stating, "Everything has been politicized in the United States. Vaccines are liberal and TRT is Maga."