Trump Faces Criticism: Desi Lydic Rebukes Trump for One Prominent Fiasco
In a controversial move, the Trump Administration in 2025 decided to destroy $9.7 million worth of taxpayer-funded contraceptives intended for low-income countries. These supplies, with shelf lives extending to 2027–2031, were originally intended for crisis zones, refugee camps, and adolescent outreach centers in sub-Saharan Africa and other areas[1][2].
The contraceptives, which included IUDs, implants, and pills, were stored in a warehouse in Belgium. However, they were sent to a medical-waste facility in France for destruction due to the administration's enforcement of policies such as the Mexico City Policy and the Kemp-Kasten amendment, which restrict funding and aid related to abortion and certain family planning services. The State Department stated that they were destroying "abortifacient birth control commodities," citing these executive restrictions[2].
Offers from the United Nations and reproductive health organizations to purchase or redistribute the stockpile were declined. This decision has been met with strong opposition from reproductive health organizations, who view it as a politically motivated action that undermines global health goals of reproductive rights and family planning[1].
The destruction process itself costs an estimated $167,000, highlighting both the financial and human-cost inefficiencies of this policy[2].
In response to this plan, reproductive rights groups and global health organizations have raised awareness and condemned the destruction, urging support for family planning access and urging action against such politically driven restrictions[1].
| Detail | Description | |------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Value of contraceptives destroyed | $9.7 million | | Types of contraceptives | IUDs, implants, contraceptive pills | | Intended recipients | Low-income countries, crisis zones, refugee camps in sub-Saharan Africa | | Shelf life | Valid until 2027–2031 | | Reason given by administration | Compliance with policies banning abortion-related assistance (Mexico City Policy, Kemp-Kasten amendment) | | Offers to avoid destruction | Declined offers from UN and reproductive orgs | | Estimated cost of destruction | $167,000 | | Response from reproductive health organizations | Strong opposition, calls for awareness and action against political interference in reproductive health |
This event reflects broader Trump-era policies restricting U.S. support for abortion-related contraceptive services, with significant consequences for global reproductive health efforts[1][2].
In a separate development, The Daily Show correspondent Desi Lydic criticized President Donald Trump for the State Department's plan to destroy the contraceptives. In a humorous skit, Lydic joked about having multiple IUDs implanted and humorously suggested that she keeps IUDs for potential use in emergencies. However, it's important to note that Lydic's jokes did not involve the contraceptives not being delivered to crisis zones and refugee camps, nor did they mention the contraceptives being stored in a warehouse in Belgium, the sale of contraceptives, or their use to pay down the national debt[3].
References: 1. The Guardian (2025). Trump administration to destroy $9.7m of contraceptives intended for low-income countries. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/12/trump-administration-to-destroy-97m-of-contraceptives-intended-for-low-income-countries 2. Reuters (2025). U.S. to destroy $9.7 million of contraceptives, citing policy restricting abortion-related aid. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-health-contraceptives-idUSKBN23Y29Q 3. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (2025). Desi Lydic on the Trump Administration's Plan to Destroy Contraceptives. [online] Available at: https://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah/video-clips/z37l33/desi-lydic-on-the-trump-administration-s-plan-to-destroy-contraceptives
- The destruction of $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, intended for low-income countries, raises concerns about the future of women's health, health-and-wellness, and sexual-health initiatives in these regions.
- Amidst the controversy surrounding the destruction of contraceptives, one might question if the scientific advancements in family planning will receive sufficient government funding in the future, potentially affecting various aspects of society, including entertainment and reproductive rights.
