Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is calling out President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, accusing them of using international tensions as a smokescreen while working behind the scenes to slash funding for critical programs that support everyday Americans.

DeLauro last week took to social media to counter Trump's claim that the U.S. is “taking over Gaza.” She dismissed the statement outright, saying, “No, we are not taking over Gaza. But President Trump saying that will be a perfect distraction from his and Elon Musk's true goal: billionaires robbing from the programs that help Americans get ahead.”

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DeLauro's concerns come as she applauded a U.S. District Court decision blocking the Trump administration from placing more than 2,000 U.S. Agency for International Development workers on paid leave. She accused the administration of attempting to dismantle government agencies without congressional approval, calling it part of a broader Republican effort to cut vital funding for public services like Medicaid, public education, and health research.

"Elon Musk and his puppet President Trump" are unlawfully freezing resources families depend on, she claimed, while Republicans work behind closed doors to redirect taxpayer dollars toward the wealthy.

Although DeLauro offers a compelling argument, some contend that the Trump administration’s funding choices are a component of larger initiatives to cut back on government expenditures and promote private sector solutions. Supporters contend that scaling back certain federal programs could lead to more efficient resource allocation, fostering economic growth and reducing reliance on government aid.

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DeLauro has also condemned Trump's recent freeze on federal funding at the Department of Health and Human Services, which has impacted Medicaid, Head Start, and public health initiatives.

While a White House memo ordering the freeze was later rescinded, lawmakers say the damage continues, with programs still facing uncertainty.

In December, DeLauro took direct aim at Musk, accusing him of pressuring Republicans to remove key restrictions on U.S. investments in China—restrictions meant to protect national security and supply chains. She pointed to Tesla's (NASDAQ:TSLA) deep ties to China, particularly its Shanghai gigafactory, which produces around half of the company's EVs.

She argued that Musk's lobbying efforts undermine bipartisan efforts to prevent U.S. funds from flowing into strategic Chinese industries like artificial intelligence. Musk fired back on X, calling for "this awful creature's" removal from Congress.

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DeLauro has painted a grim picture of what she sees as the Republican Party's endgame: slashing funding for critical services while funneling benefits to billionaires. She has warned that Trump and his allies are prepared to target Medicaid, cancer research, and other key programs next.

"What we cannot allow," she said, "is a government of billionaires, by billionaires, and for billionaires, to seize total control of our country."

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This article 'No, We Are Not Taking Over Gaza,' Says Influential Congresswoman—Warns Trump's Real Goal Is Helping Billionaires Gut Programs For Americans originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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