Clarifying Claims About USAID Funding for Sesame Street in Iraq

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that $20 million from USAID was intended for a “Sesame Street” show in Iraq. However, this funding is actually aimed at the Ahlan Simsim Iraq educational program, which focuses on early childhood development and utilizes “Sesame Street” content, but operates independently from a new show.

On February 5, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during a news conference that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had allocated $20 million to develop a “Sesame Street” television show in Iraq. She emphasized this amidst ongoing discussions regarding federal funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration.

Leavitt’s assertion was echoed by Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa on February 13 during a Senate Committee hearing. Ernst, chair of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, referenced the claim but did not clarify the relationship between the funding and its intended purpose.

Investigations, however, indicate a misunderstanding in the claim. The funding is primarily for a program known as Ahlan Simsim Iraq, an educational initiative supported by USAID. According to archived USAID documents, the agency allocated funds for this project to Sesame Workshop, intending to enhance early childhood development and education in Iraq between July 2021 and June 2027.

It should be noted that while the Ahlan Simsim initiative utilizes content featuring “Sesame Street” characters, it functions independently from any television show. The funding specifically aims to create educational materials for young children in conflict zones and includes localized media to facilitate improved learning outcomes for children.

In summary, the claim that USAID funded a “Sesame Street” show in Iraq conflates the actual funding for the Ahlan Simsim Iraq program, which aims at early childhood development. Although the program uses content from Sesame Workshop, it receives funding for educational purposes rather than the production of a new television series. The distinction is crucial in understanding the intentions behind the funding and the programming it supports.

Original Source: www.snopes.com