A recent claim by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that USAID allocated $20 million for a “Sesame Street” show in Iraq. This statement conflates the funding for the Ahlan Simsim Iraq initiative, an educational project focused on early childhood development, with a kids’ TV show. Despite this confusion, it is clear that the funding is dedicated solely to educational improvements in conflict regions.
On February 5, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced at a press briefing that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated $20 million towards developing a “Sesame Street” television show in Iraq. This claim arose amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to target USAID for funding cuts.
During the briefing, Ms. Leavitt made a statement addressing Democrats, mentioning the controversial funding allocations. She listed several expenses that the administration deemed as unnecessary federal spending, including the purported $20 million for the new “Sesame Street” show in Iraq, along with other allocations intended for foreign initiatives.
However, the claim regarding the funding appears to misrepresent a distinct educational initiative called Ahlan Simsim Iraq, which features “Sesame Street” characters but serves a separate purpose. According to archived records from USAID, the agency granted funding for the Ahlan Simsim Iraq project, which focuses on early childhood education in conflict-affected areas.
The funds detailed on the archived USAID page indicate a commitment from the agency to provide $20 million to Sesame Workshop to facilitate this initiative from July 2021 until June 2027. The Ahlan Simsim project not only involves the production of a television show, but also supports educational programs that benefit families, particularly in areas struck by conflict.
Furthermore, Snopes reached out to various parties, including the White House and USAID, seeking clarification regarding the origin of the $20 million figure. None provided sufficient context to reconcile the differences reported in funding sources. It remains clear from statements by Sesame Workshop that the funds were exclusively dedicated to the Ahlan Simsim Iraq early childhood program rather than a standalone TV show.
The Ahlan Simsim Iraq initiative is designed to develop localized educational content aimed at improving the learning environment for children. This encompasses creating teaching materials, classroom resources, storybooks, and guides intended for educators, parents, and caregivers, thereby enhancing early childhood education and engagement in impacted regions.
In summary, the $20 million announced by White House Press Secretary Leavitt pertains to the Ahlan Simsim Iraq initiative, a USAID-funded educational project aimed at enhancing early childhood development. The initiative leverages content from the “Sesame Street” brand but operates independently. Discrepancies in the portrayal of this funding raise concerns over miscommunication regarding the intended use and purpose of these funds. Such distinctions are crucial, as they impact the understanding of USAID’s mission and function in supporting education in conflict areas.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
