Science
U.S. science-establishment, center-left in practice
Background
Science was founded in 1880 with financial backing from Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. The AAAS assumed full publication responsibility in 1900, and the journal has operated under its umbrella ever since. Over more than a century it grew into one of the most cited and widely read scientific journals in the world, publishing landmark papers across all fields of science. AAAS is a membership organization with more than 120,000 individual members and affiliations with roughly 262 scientific societies; revenues come from subscriptions, advertising, dues, and meeting fees, not from any single donor or government. Editorially, Science aligns closely with scientific consensus on contested empirical questions such as climate change and vaccine safety, and its news section frequently covers science funding and federal research policy. During Trump's first term (2017–2021) Science published pointed criticism of rollbacks to environmental and public-health science. In the second Trump term (beginning January 2025), its news and editorial pages have described proposed NIH cuts of 37 percent and NSF cuts exceeding 50 percent as 'disastrous,' and its reporters have framed administration actions as 'dismantling' U.S. science infrastructure. The AAAS 2026 annual conference also featured speakers who were openly critical of the administration's science policies.
Sources
- About Science & AAAS | Science | AAAS
- American Association for the Advancement of Science – Wikipedia
- AAAS – InfluenceWatch
- How the Trump administration is dismantling science in the U.S. | Science | AAAS
- Trump's proposed budget would mean 'disastrous' cuts to science | Science | AAAS
- Slasher sequel: Trump again proposes major cuts to U.S. science spending | Science | AAAS
- After 100 days of upheaval, what's next for U.S. science? | Science | AAAS
- After 'Rupture,' Science Leaders Call for More Advocacy | Inside Higher Ed
Profile compiled 2026-08-01; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.