Fact vs. Fiction: USAID Funding for a ‘Transgender Comic Book’ in Peru

Claim by Brian Mast (R) and Press Secretary Leavitt:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided a $32,000 grant to fund a “transgender comic book” in Peru.

Reasoning:

The claim, initially spread by Rep. Brian Mast and later promoted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, is false. The grant in question was issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic and Consular Programs—not USAID—between 2022 and 2023. It funded the second issue of a Peruvian comic book series, El Poder de La Educación (The Power of Education), which was used to support a U.S.-Peru student cultural exchange program. While the comic book featured a gay protagonist, Alex, none of the issues included transgender characters. Despite multiple requests for evidence, neither the White House nor Rep. Mast provided any proof that USAID was involved or that the comic book contained transgender content. Instead, they continued promoting the false claim.

Fact or Fiction?

❌ Fiction – The claim is false. The funding came from the State Department, not USAID, and the comic book did not feature transgender characters.