Claim: The U.S. government was about to send $50 million to fund condoms in Gaza before the plan was halted by the Trump administration.
Verdict: ❌ False – There is no publicly available evidence supporting the claim that the U.S. had allocated $50 million for condoms in Gaza.
The Viral Claim
A viral claim circulating online suggests that the Trump administration uncovered a plan to spend $50 million in U.S. taxpayer money on condoms for Gaza. This narrative originates from a Jan. 28 press briefing by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, where she mentioned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) identified this alleged funding.
Several social media posts amplified this claim, with one viral X post stating:
🚨 “WILD: Karoline Leavitt EXPOSED that $50 MILLION in U.S. taxpayer money almost went to fund CONDOMS in Gaza before DOGE cut it.”
Trump himself repeated the claim in a speech on Jan. 31, further fueling the misinformation.
What Are the Facts?
1️⃣ No Verified Reports of $50 Million Allocation for Condoms
- A State Department official confirmed that the Trump administration blocked $100 million in aid for the humanitarian organization International Medical Corps (IMC), which included funds for contraception.
- However, the State Department did not provide any evidence of a $50 million allocation specifically for condoms.
2️⃣ Denial from International Medical Corps (IMC)
- IMC released a statement on Jan. 29 denying the claim, saying:
“No U.S. government funding was used to procure or distribute condoms, nor provide family-planning services.” - IMC clarified that since October 7, 2023, it had received $68 million from USAID to operate field hospitals in Gaza, focusing on surgical care, malnutrition treatment, and maternal health—not contraception.
3️⃣ No Evidence in Government Reports
- USAID contraceptive and condom shipment records from 2007 to 2023 do not show any shipments to Gaza.
- A 2024 report on U.S. foreign aid shows that the Middle East only received $45,681 worth of contraceptives—which went entirely to Jordan, not Gaza.
4️⃣ Fact-Check by Former U.S. Officials
- Dana Stroul, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, stated on X that USAID did not send money to Gaza in FY 2023.
- Jeremy Konyndyk, a former USAID official, mocked the claim, stating that $50 million would purchase 1 billion condoms, making the claim logistically absurd.
Final Verdict: No Evidence
There is no publicly available government report, contract, or official confirmation that $50 million was allocated for condoms in Gaza. The claim is based on a misinterpretation of government spending records and has been denied by IMC and former U.S. officials.
🚨 Rating: ❌ False – No credible evidence supports this claim.