Donald Trump Freezes $50 Million That Funded Condoms In Gaza
Source: Nikolay Zaiarnyi / Getty
Donald Trump Freezes $50 Million That Funded Condoms In Gaza
The Trump administration has frozen $50 million in foreign aid allocations, targeting a program distributing condoms in Gaza.
The decision, announced by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, reflects the administration’s sweeping review of U.S. foreign assistance to ensure alignment with its policies.
Leavitt criticized the funding as a āpreposterous waste of taxpayer money,ā citing findings from the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The $50 million allocation was flagged as part of an effort to scrutinize overseas expenditures.
According to Leavitt, the funding would have covered large-scale condom distribution in Gaza, a region with over two million residents heavily impacted by conflict.
The program itself stirred additional controversy due to reports of condoms being repurposed by Palestinian militants, who have used them to construct improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
These devices, often attached to helium balloons, have caused significant damage, including fires and psychological distress, in southern Israel.
The freeze is part of President Trumpās broader review of foreign aid, which also included halting $37 million intended for the World Health Organization and limiting non-emergency disbursements to select nations such as Egypt and Israel.
The international community has expressed concern over the implications of the freeze.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the critical role of U.S. aid, which has traditionally made the U.S. the largest provider of global development assistance.
Critics worry that suspending health-focused funding, like the condom program, could exacerbate public health crises and diplomatic tensions in volatile regions like Gaza.
While the Trump administration frames its decision as fiscal responsibility, the move raises questions about the broader consequences of curtailing U.S. investment in humanitarian and development efforts.
The controversy underscores the complex and polarizing nature of foreign aid in addressing both health needs and geopolitical tensions.
Donald Trump Freezes $50 Million That Funded Condoms In GazaĀ was originally published on ronewibc.staging.go.ione.nyc