Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump’s administration, expressed concerns about the $50 million spent on condoms in Gaza by the previous government. He suggested that the money may have been misused and ended up with Hamas instead.
Discovery of the Funding
In a press briefing on Tuesday, US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that DOGE and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) discovered that $50 million had been allocated for condom distribution in Gaza.
Musk’s Reaction
Upon hearing this news, Musk quickly responded, calling it “the tip of the iceberg.” He speculated, “My guess is that a lot of that money ended up in the pockets of Hamas, not actually condoms.” Furthermore, he added, “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.”
Response to a Claim
Additionally, Musk reacted to a post by a user who claimed that the condoms were being used to transport explosives. Musk jokingly replied, “Explains why all the condom orders were magnum.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2025
Leavitt’s Response
In contrast to Musk’s lighter tone, Leavitt took the matter more seriously. She called the funding a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money” and emphasized that the pause was meant to focus on being “good stewards of tax dollars.”
Financial Details
While Leavitt did not provide evidence of the misuse, AFP pointed out that condoms typically cost less than a dollar in the US, and Gaza’s population is around two million. Moreover, the White House claimed that the suspension of US overseas assistance was directly related to this funding discovery.