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Despite the noble intentions of the research team, Project Magnet faced numerous challenges, primarily from the media. Journalists, eager for sensational stories, often misrepresented the project's findings, leading to significant embarrassment both for researchers involved and the Department of Transport. This negative publicity culminated in the decision to cease federal financial support for the project in 1954, officially resulting in its termination in October of that year. However, the Department did permit continued access to laboratory resources as long as it did not financially burden the public treasury.