Fact Check: Did the US Spend $50 Million on Condoms for Gaza Aid?

In a recent controversy surrounding US foreign aid, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that former President Donald Trump blocked a $50 million aid program meant for condoms in Gaza. During her first official press briefing, Leavitt framed the decision as an effort to prevent the wasteful use of American taxpayer money. However, fact-checking reports and statements from experts have cast serious doubts on the accuracy of this claim.

The claim that $50 million was earmarked for condoms in Gaza lacks any credible evidence. When pressed for proof, White House officials redirected inquiries to the State Department, which provided no verification of the claim. While some foreign aid programs were paused under Trump’s administration, there is no documented evidence of a specific program dedicated to purchasing condoms for Gaza.

A recent federal report reviewing USAID spending under the Biden administration reveals that no funds were allocated for condoms in the Middle East for the fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023. The report confirms that the only contraceptive-related funding in the region was a small shipment of injectable contraceptives and birth control pills sent to Jordan, totaling approximately $46,000. This figure stands in stark contrast to the $50 million claim, further calling its validity into question.

Additionally, USAID’s total global expenditure on male and female condoms in 2023 was only $8.2 million, primarily directed towards African nations. Given this context, the idea that Gaza alone would receive six times that amount appears highly implausible. A former senior Biden official outright dismissed the claim as a fabrication, accusing the Trump White House of spreading false and misleading information for political reasons.

Steve Fake, a representative from Anera, a nonprofit organization involved in US-funded health initiatives in Gaza, also weighed in on the issue. He confirmed that Anera’s programs do not include condom distribution, further discrediting the White House’s assertion. This aligns with broader US policy trends, as contraceptive aid programs in the Middle East have historically been limited, with most efforts focused on maternal healthcare, malnutrition, and infectious disease prevention.

This controversy comes at a time when the Biden administration has reversed a number of Trump-era funding freezes, a move that had previously created uncertainty in several aid programs. The Trump administration’s decision to block federal funding, including humanitarian aid, sparked confusion, legal battles, and public concern, particularly regarding healthcare programs that serve low-income communities in the US and abroad.

Despite the claim’s lack of supporting evidence, it has gained traction among conservative media outlets, fueling further debates over foreign aid spending and government accountability. Critics argue that misleading statements about aid programs can distort public perception, while advocates stress the importance of transparency and fact-based policymaking when discussing taxpayer-funded initiatives.