Trump Freezes $50 Million ‘Condoms in Gaza’ Aid Approved by Biden Administration

The White House defended a sweeping freeze on U.S. overseas assistance on Tuesday, pointing to a $50 million condom distribution program in Gaza, though it did not provide evidence to support the claim.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the expenditure was identified during President Donald Trump’s first week back in office, in part by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Speaking at her first press conference, Leavitt stated that the budget office and Musk’s team “found that there was about to be 50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza.”

“That is a preposterous waste of taxpayer money,” she said, without offering further details. Independent verification of the claim was not immediately possible.

Condoms in the United States generally cost less than a dollar each, and much less when purchased in bulk. Gaza, home to more than two million people, has suffered immense destruction after 15 months of war with Israel.

Leavitt also revealed that the U.S. was preparing to send $37 million to the World Health Organization before Trump announced the country’s withdrawal from the UN agency.

Shortly after taking office, Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid and launched a review to ensure funds align with his administration’s policies, which oppose abortion, transgender rights, and diversity programs.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in a memo on Friday that nearly all U.S. aid disbursements were on hold, except for emergency food assistance and military aid to Israel and Egypt.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the freeze, as the U.S. has historically been the world’s largest provider of development assistance in absolute dollar terms.