The Donald Trump administration's recent freeze on all foreign aid included a surprising cut, of $50 million in US funding for condoms in Gaza.
A White House official revealed that a memo from the Office of Management and Budget is set to temporarily suspend grants, loans, and federal assistance programmes while they undergo review, according to a Fox News report.
The official, while speaking to the media outlet, said, "If the activity is not in conflict with the President's priorities, it will continue with no issues. This is similar to how HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) stopped the flow of grant money to the World Health Organisation after President Trump announced the US withdrawal from the organisation. Or how the State Department halted several million dollars going to condoms in Gaza this past weekend."
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Elon Musk reacts
Expressing doubts over the funding of condoms in Gaza by the previous government, Elon Musk, leader of the US Department of Government Efficiency, suggested that it might have ended up in the wrong hands, possibly with Hamas.
Musk took to his platform X and called the move the “tip of the iceberg”.
“My guess is that a lot of that money ended up in the pockets of Hamas, not actually condoms.”
My guess is that a lot of that money ended up in the pockets Hamas, not actually condoms
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2025
"Yes, even in the unlikely event that the money was actually spent on condoms, we should NOT be sending US taxpayer money to buy condoms for foreigners," he said in another post.
Yes, even in the unlikely event that the money was actually spent on condoms, we should NOT be sending US taxpayer money to buy condoms for foreigners 🤦♂️
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2025
One of the users claimed the condoms were being used to transport improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and incendiary materials, potentially harming Israeli citizens.
To this, Musk replied, saying, “Explains why all the condom orders were magnum."
Elon Musk chimes in: ‘Explains why all condom orders were “Magnum” 😂’
— Entrepreneur (@WallSTQuon) January 29, 2025
When the absurdity meets policy: $50M of U.S. funds tied to ‘condoms in Gaza’ goes far beyond satire. https://t.co/Rr97QvX6U7
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calls it 'preposterous waste of money'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in her first briefing, deemed the move a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money," stating that "there was about to be $50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza".
“That's what this pause is focused on—being good stewards of tax dollars,” she added.
The move to pause all foreign aid came as an effect of US President Donald Trump's executive order, "Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid", which he signed after taking charge of the White House on January 20.
"No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an internal memo.
(With inputs from agencies)