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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a striking move to reassess federal spending, the Trump administration has announced a freeze on a $50 million allocation earmarked for “condoms in Gaza.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the decision during the administration’s inaugural press briefing on Tuesday, highlighting efforts to ensure responsible use of taxpayer funds. The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) reported that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in conjunction with the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), uncovered the planned disbursement, prompting immediate action.
Leavitt told reporters, “That is a preposterous waste of taxpayer money. That’s what this pause is focused on: being good stewards of tax dollars.” According to the JNS report, the freeze is part of President Donald Trump’s broader directive to scrutinize foreign aid and domestic grant programs to ensure alignment with the administration’s fiscal priorities. This directive comes amid efforts by the DOGE and the OMB to streamline government expenditures and eliminate perceived inefficiencies.
The JNS report noted that the origins of the $50 million allocation remain ambiguous. While the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) operates family planning and reproductive health programs in 41 countries, neither Gaza nor Israel is listed among the recipients. JNS sought clarification from the White House on the specific program or agency responsible for the funding, but no additional details were provided at the time of publication.
Adding to the complexity, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides guidance to travelers visiting “Israel, including the West Bank and Gaza,” recommending that they bring latex condoms to prevent illness. However, this recommendation, last updated on August 5, 2024, appears unrelated to the federal funding in question. JNS also highlighted that in 2020, Hamas reportedly used helium-inflated condoms as improvised firebombs targeting Israel, further complicating the optics of such an aid program.
The condom program freeze is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to overhaul federal spending, particularly in foreign aid. JNS reported that President Trump has ordered a comprehensive review and suspension of various aid programs to align federal expenditures with the administration’s goals. This initiative underscores Trump’s stated commitment to being a “good steward” of taxpayer dollars, a theme emphasized by Leavitt during the briefing.
During the press briefing, Leavitt also addressed the administration’s controversial decision to remove security details for former government officials facing threats from Iran. Responding to a query about the matter, Leavitt reiterated Trump’s stance that American taxpayers should not bear the burden of funding lifetime security for former officials. “There’s nothing stopping these individuals…from obtaining private security,” she said, as reported by JNS. The decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who urged Trump to reconsider the policy earlier this week.
Leavitt dismissed the possibility of investigating Biden administration officials over decisions such as funding the U.N.’s Palestinian aid agency (UNRWA) and removing Yemen’s Houthi rebels from the State Department’s list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. However, she remarked, “It wouldn’t be a bad idea, considering that the Houthis certainly are terrorists,” a sentiment echoed by many in Congress. JNS underscores that such remarks could signal a future reevaluation of past foreign policy decisions as Trump’s administration moves to reshape U.S. engagement in the Middle East.
JNS highlighted the $50 million funding freeze as emblematic of Trump’s broader fiscal approach. By targeting what the administration views as unnecessary expenditures, Trump is sending a clear message about his priorities.
