Fact Check: Is Rep Maxine Dexter's claim of putting 'whole milk' in public schools is 'White supremacy' true?

HOOD RIVER, OREGON: Democratic Rep Maxine Dexter on Wednesday, February 25, made a controversial statement during an event where she claimed putting 'whole milk' in public schools is 'White supremacy'.

During a town hall at Wy’east Middle School in Hood River, Dexter took a jab at the Trump administration's policies. Is her claim of 'White supremacy' true? Let us find out below.

Claim: Putting 'whole milk' in public schools is 'White supremacy'

Rep Maxine Dexter said on Wednesday, "Please ask for the science-based regimens. Not whatever RFK Jr is getting kickbacks on or, you know, whatever whole milk, white supremacy dog-whistling that’s happening right now. I’m getting a little too political."

Interestingly, Dexter's remarks followed President Donald Trump’s signing of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, a legislation that restores schools' ability to offer whole and two percent milk under the federally regulated National School Lunch Program.

This change reverses restrictions implemented after the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which aligned school meals with federal dietary guidelines, emphasizing low-fat and fat-free dairy to reduce saturated fat intake.

As per the updated law, schools are permitted, not required, to serve whole milk. Moreover, districts may continue offering low-fat, fat-free, or lactose-free milk as per student needs and local discretion, according to the US Department of Agriculture guidance.

Fact Check: False, no evidence to back her claim

The claim made by Rep Maxine Dexter that putting 'whole milk' in public schools is 'White supremacy' is false, as her statement is a political rhetoric and opinion, and not a fact.

The policy itself, allowing schools to offer whole milk as an option in lunches, stems from bipartisan legislation focused on nutrition, child development, obesity concerns, and dairy industry support. The policy has no documented racial intent or policy language tied to supremacy. 

Moreover, the school milk change is driven by health/nutrition debates, and not racial signaling. No evidence shows that the Trump administration, Robert F Kennedy Jr, or the bill intended any racist messaging.

Rep Dexter's comment seems to be hyperbolic partisan attack rhetoric amid broader criticisms towards the Trump administration, and is not a substantiated claim.

The Democratic Rep from Oregon is a vocal critic of the Trump administration's policies and also said during her speech, "Let me be clear: the big ugly betrayal bill will hurt people … This is not fiscal responsibility, it’s a smash and grab robbery of our healthcare system to give billionaires tax breaks."