During a recent address to Congress, President Trump highlighted what he described as “hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud” uncovered by Elon Musk’s team, specifically targeting a program funding the Arab version of “Sesame Street” in the Middle East. The president criticized the $20 million allocation as emblematic of what he and other Republicans view as unnecessary government spending influenced by “woke” ideology.
However, the Arabic-language "Sesame Street" initiative has historically received bipartisan support, with figures such as Andrew S. Natsios, a conservative Republican, advocating its role in countering extremism during his tenure at the U.S. Agency for International Development under President George W. Bush. Natsios noted that the program helped foster positive attitudes toward the West among children in Egypt.
The program exemplifies the use of soft power, promoting diplomacy and goodwill rather than coercion, a method Trump has largely replaced with more direct transactional approaches. The administration's claims of fraud often stem from differing policy opinions rather than evidence of criminality, mischaracterizing media payments and exaggerating issues regarding Social Security data.
Despite significant dissatisfaction among certain Americans with overseas aid, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency claims to have identified and eliminated wasteful expenditures in federal spending. The Trump administration is adamant about uncovering greater fraud justifying extensive budget cuts, while White House officials equate perceived waste with fraudulent activity.
In addressing specific instances of alleged fraud, the administration pointed to an ongoing investigation involving Endeavors, a firm responsible for housing unaccompanied migrant children. The company has denied any wrongdoing. Critics argue that the administration's focus on certain programs stems from political motivations rather than substantive evidence of waste or mismanagement.
Despite assertions of pursuing fraud investigations aggressively, the Trump administration has dismissed nearly 20 inspectors general, who traditionally play a critical role in spotting fraud within federal agencies. Some former inspectors have claimed their investigations led to significant savings and deterrents against wasteful spending.
The cuts to “Sesame Street” funding mean the termination of an educational program and resources in Iraq intended to enhance early childhood education. Nevertheless, the core show, “Ahlan Simsim,” will continue to broadcast in the Middle East and North Africa, funded by partnerships with philanthropic foundations and aid organizations.