
US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy with his recent claim that his administration stopped $50 million in condoms from being sent to Gaza, alleging that Hamas was using them to make bombs. The statement, made during a speech outlining his administration’s accomplishments, has left many questioning its validity and wondering if the president was referring to the wrong Gaza altogether.
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump asserted, “We identified and stopped $50 million being sent to Gaza to buy condoms for Hamas. They used them as a method of making bombs. How about that?” The claim was echoed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who described the alleged aid as a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money.”
However, no evidence has been provided to support the claim that condoms were being sent to Gaza or that Hamas was using them to manufacture explosives. The bizarre assertion has drawn widespread skepticism, with experts and officials refuting the possibility of such a scenario.
**A Case of Misplaced Gaza?**
One theory suggests that Trump may have confused Gaza, the Palestinian territory, with another region bearing the same name. Notably, there are over a dozen places worldwide named Gaza, including a province in Mozambique. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has funded reproductive health projects in Mozambique’s Gaza province, allocating millions of dollars to organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
This funding, which supports reproductive health initiatives, is set to continue until 2026. It is possible that Trump’s claim stems from a mix-up between the two regions, though the White House has not clarified the matter.
**Experts Dismiss the Claim**
Jeremy Konyndyk, President of Refugees International and former USAID official, dismissed Trump’s claim as unrealistic. He pointed out that USAID procures condoms at approximately $0.05 each, meaning $50 million would equate to one billion condoms—an implausible quantity for Gaza. “What’s going on here is NOT a billion condoms for Gaza,” Konyndyk wrote on social media. “What’s going on is that the bros at DOGE apparently can’t read govt spreadsheets.”
Additionally, USAID reports show no record of condom shipments to Gaza in recent years. In fiscal year 2023, the US delivered $60.8 million in contraceptives and condoms globally, with the Middle East receiving just $45,681—all of which went to Jordan.
**Trump’s Broader Foreign Aid Freeze**
The condom claim appears to be part of Trump’s broader effort to justify his administration’s freeze on foreign aid. Shortly after taking office for his second term, Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of nearly all foreign assistance, citing the need to align aid with his “America First” policy. The freeze excludes emergency food aid and military assistance to Egypt and Israel.
Trump’s administration has criticized reproductive health programs and other forms of foreign aid as wasteful, despite the US being the world’s largest donor of humanitarian assistance. In fiscal year 2023, the US disbursed $72 billion in aid globally, supporting initiatives ranging from healthcare to clean water access.
**No Evidence of Condom Shipments to Gaza**
Organizations operating in Gaza have also denied receiving US funding for condoms or family-planning services. The International Medical Corps (IMC), which has received over $68 million from USAID since October 2023, stated that its work in Gaza focuses on emergency medical care, malnutrition treatment, and maternal health—not condom distribution.
Similarly, USAID reports from previous years show no record of condom shipments to Gaza. Under the Trump administration in fiscal year 2019, $1.1 million in contraceptives was sent to the Middle East, with all supplies going to Yemen.
**A Bizarre Claim with No Clear Explanation**
While the origins of Trump’s condom claim remain unclear, it has undoubtedly raised questions about the accuracy of his statements and the administration’s understanding of foreign aid programs. Whether the claim stems from confusion, misinformation, or a deliberate attempt to frame Gaza as an example of wasteful spending, it has added another layer of controversy to Trump’s presidency.
As the debate continues, one thing is certain: the claim of $50 million in condoms for Gaza remains unsubstantiated and highly unlikely.