Condoms for Taliban to sex change surgeries in Guatemala: USAID on Trump radar for unusual spending

The USAID serves as the leading US agency dedicated to assisting countries in disaster recovery, poverty alleviation, and democratic development (AP Photo)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing intense scrutiny over allegations of misusing taxpayer funds, following a crackdown by the Trump administration. The US President criticised the agency, labelling it as “run by radical lunatics.”

Escalating his long-standing criticism of USAID, Trump signed an executive order freezing foreign aid for 90 days. Declaring the agency “run by radical lunatics,” he promised a crackdown on what he calls “waste, fraud, and abuse.”

The USAID serves as the leading US agency dedicated to assisting countries in disaster recovery, poverty alleviation, and democratic development. According to the Congressional Research Service, USAID has approximately 10,000 employees, two-thirds of whom are stationed abroad. With a presence in over 60 countries, much of its fieldwork is conducted by external organisations under contract, according to a report by BBC.

However, USAID’s spending on projects deemed “unrelated to US interests” by Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sparked domestic and international backlash, The Times of India reported.

From the controversial to the outright astonishing—here are some of USAID’s most eye-catching expenditures:

$15 million for condoms for the Taliban: USAID reportedly allocated $15 million worth of condoms to the Taliban, a regime known for oppressing women. Critics, including Representative Mast, ridiculed the move, questioning its humanitarian value.

$4,46,000 to promote atheism in Nepal: USAID’s decision to spend nearly half a million dollars on promoting atheism in Nepal has sparked controversy, with critics questioning whether such efforts serve US national interests.

$47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia: The US government reportedly spent tens of thousands of dollars on a transgender-themed opera in Colombia, raising questions about its relevance to American interests.

$20,600 for drag shows in Ecuador: USAID’s decision to fund drag performances in Ecuador under an LGBTQ cultural program has stirred controversy, with critics questioning the rationale behind the spending.

$350 million for a pier in Gaza: Funds were designated for building a humanitarian aid pier in Gaza, though some critics argue it may inadvertently support Hamas-linked activities.

Some of the other projects that raised concerns included $1 million to boost French-speaking LGBTQ groups in Africa, $3 million for LGBTQ support in the Caribbean, $55,000 for a climate change seminar exclusively for female & LGBTQ journalists in Argentina, $2 million for sex changes and LGBTQ activism in Guatemala, among others.