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Right-wing media are weaponizing fake outrage about a severe baby formula shortagein the U.S. for political gain, using the crisis to attack migrant babies, bash abortion rights, complain about aid to Ukraine, and accuse President Joe Biden of mismanaging and exacerbating the shortage.

The U.S. is facing a dangerous formula shortage that has parents scrambling to feed their babies and stores rationing products. In some states, over 50% of formula products are out of stock. Less than half of infants in the U.S. are exclusively breastfed through 3 months of age, so most parents rely on formula to help feed their children before they are ready for solid foods.

The shortage is partly a result of corporate conglomeration as of 2018, just four companies control nearly 90% of the formula market. In addition, poor federal oversight and weak safety standards at key manufacturing plants led to massive recalls for contaminated formula. Supply chain issues exacerbated by the pandemic have only made the shortage worse.

In response to the shortage, the Biden administration has said that it is working with the Food and Drug Administration to increase production and potentially loosen restrictions on imported formula, and it has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate price gouging. And chief of staff Ron Klain has reportedly told a member of Congress the White House is also absolutely and strongly considering having President Joe Biden use the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of formula.

Meanwhile, right-wing media outlets, figures, and guests have been fueling their ongoing culture war by linking the formula crisis to hot-button issues like abortion and Ukraine to further outrage their audience.

Fox News hosts and other right-wing pundits suggestedthat the government should starve migrant babies in detention because U.S.-born babies and their parents are facing a formula shortage. Aside from the obvious moral duty to feed human beings in its care, the government is legally required to provide adequate nutrition including formula when appropriate for incarcerated immigrants.

Some right-wing pundits claimed that the Biden administration doesnt care about the formula shortage because it is pro-choice and wants to kill babies, or that the Biden administration is proposing abortion as a solution to the formula shortage. Some claimed Democrats are hypocrites, implying they are only worried about abortion rights and not the formula shortage.

Some right-wing media figures and guests suggested that instead of attempting to send $40 billion to Ukraine to help the country fend off the Russian invasion, Congress should use that money to produce baby formula. Others claimed that Bidens support of aid for Ukraine during the formula shortage proves he doesnt care about the welfare of people in the U.S.

Right-wing media figures accused the president of not taking the shortage seriously and demanded that he address the crisis from his bully pulpit. Some claimed the shortage was the latest casualty of inflation, which they also blamed on the president.

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Attacking abortion rights, migrants babies, and more -- how right-wing media is exploiting the baby formula crisis for the GOP's culture war - Media...