Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, took to social media to slam the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for what she called “wasteful and dangerous” spending, which she claims has burdened taxpayers until intervention by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Ernst shared examples of USAID-funded projects that she deems excessive, including the funding of research in Wuhan and the sponsorship of Ukrainian attendees at Paris Fashion Week. A particularly contentious project she highlighted was USAID’s $20 million grant to Sesame Workshop for the creation of “Ahlan Simsim Iraq,” a Sesame Street-inspired show intended to promote social inclusion in post-conflict Iraq.
The initiative, funded under the Biden administration, aimed to foster understanding among Iraq’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, particularly in communities struggling after years of war. According to USAID, Iraqi youth, who make up over half the population, face challenges like unemployment and displacement, which could make them vulnerable to radicalization.
USAID’s website was taken offline this week amid scrutiny from DOGE and tech mogul Elon Musk. The Sesame Street-style show received funding starting in 2021, set to continue through 2027, and still airs in the Middle East.
Ernst also drew attention to a failed USAID program in Afghanistan, where millions of dollars were spent encouraging farmers to grow food crops instead of poppies. The initiative ultimately backfired, leading to a rise in poppy cultivation and, consequently, opium production, as documented by the UN.
The senator’s critique of USAID’s global spending continues to spark debate about the agency’s effectiveness and accountability in its foreign aid projects.
