USAID paid $3M for anti-Israel rap in Gaza

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) paid $3 million to a rapper in Gaza to produce anti-Israel content, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) said Wednesday.

The Trump administration shuttered USAID last week after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uncovered a shocking waste of taxpayer funds on Leftist causes around the globe. Officials have further discovered that the agency, known to be a front for the intelligence community, has been funding propaganda domestically and abroad to shape political landscapes and effect regime changes.

Lawler told MSNBC Joe Scarborough that while he believes USAID has financed some worthy humanitarian causes, it has also been misusing taxpayer money.

“But then you look at some of the expenditures by USAID—for instance, I uncovered over $3 million to a rap artist in Gaza producing anti-Israel, antisemitic songs. Is that the best use of American taxpayer dollars? I would venture not,” the lawmaker said.

Lawler, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the committee will hold a hearing on Thursday to investigate USAID’s corruption, which has drawn outrage from taxpayers. The agency has funded transgender operas in Colombia, DEI in Serbia, the publication of a transgender comic book in Peru, and even earmarked $20 million to produce an Arabic version of “Sesame Street” in Iraq called “Ahlan Simsim.”

USAID support for Hamas

USAID has also been instrumental in propping up Hamas. In addition to funding anti-Israel propaganda, the agency has facilitated critical shipments of food, water, and fuel to the terror group under the pretext of “humanitarian aid.” Rafael Hayon, an Israeli operative who monitors Hamas communications, alleged this week that Hamas was prepared to surrender earlier in the war until they received a major influx of food, water, and fuel.

According to the Middle East Forum, USAID has dispensed millions of dollars to Hamas entities in Gaza. City Journal reports that USAID officials have even visited Hamas compounds and launched joint programs with the terror group. Most if not all of the roughly $2 billion the Biden administration has sent to Gaza since October 7th has gone to Hamas, with $200 million from USAID going to “miscellaneous foreign awardees” in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Meanwhile, USAID urged the Biden administration to end foreign aid to Israel. Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power refused to meet with Israeli officials unless they first stopped attacking Hamas.

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