Jasmine Crockett ‘Makes AOC Sound Like Einstein’ With Sesame Street Word Salad [WATCH]

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) came under renewed scrutiny Tuesday after defending U.S. taxpayer-funded programming in the Middle East, including a version of “Sesame Street” co-produced by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Crockett made her remarks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, where lawmakers examined the spending history of USAID following its dismantling earlier this year by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The program in question, known as “Ahlan Simsim” — Arabic for “Welcome Sesame” — was developed as a localized version of the American “Sesame Street” to be broadcast in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.

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According to USAID and Sesame Workshop, the initiative aimed to promote “inclusion, mutual respect, and understanding” among children in the region.

Crockett argued that such programs were essential to combatting anti-American sentiment abroad.

“[When] we start to talk about whether or not ‘Sesame Street’ or anything else that’s on NPR or PBS ends up in other places, this is so there is not this warped thought process about the western world or the United States,” Crockett said during the hearing.

“We’re talking about making sure that we don’t end up allowing people to be radicalized against us because they have a terrible vision of us because they maybe in a government that actually puts out bad, terrible propaganda about us.”

Jasmine Crockett makes AOC sound like Einstein. Listen! pic.twitter.com/TFITSiFEVj

— Mike Engleman🇺🇲 (@RealHickory) July 15, 2025

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Crockett did not clarify how funding children’s television programming in foreign countries directly prevents radicalization or counters anti-American propaganda.

The “Ahlan Simsim” project was one of several initiatives criticized by House Republicans for using U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund overseas content.

USAID was dissolved by DOGE in February following a comprehensive review that revealed widespread spending on foreign aid initiatives and controversial programs. Among the agency’s 2023 expenditures was $68 billion in foreign aid, a significant portion of which went to Ukraine.

The agency was also responsible for distributing 65.5 million condoms, 9.8 million doses of injectable contraceptives, and over 300,000 intrauterine devices (IUDs) to countries abroad in fiscal year 2022.

In Guatemala, USAID allocated $2 million to support local organizations in providing gender-transition procedures, another funding decision that drew criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups alike.

Crockett has remained vocal in her defense of USAID and its programming.

On Thursday, during an appearance on the “Let’s Be Clear” podcast, Crockett made a claim that cutting off foreign aid through USAID could have severe national security consequences.

“If we are not careful, what we’re doing is paving the way for another 9/11,” she said, offering no evidence to support the assertion.

Elon Musk, who oversaw DOGE during the review and dismantling of USAID, has not commented publicly on Crockett’s statements.

DOGE cited a lack of measurable outcomes and persistent funding of ideologically driven initiatives as reasons for eliminating the agency.

Congressional Democrats have pushed back against DOGE’s decision and continue to advocate for reinstating certain programs, including international family planning and media broadcasting efforts.