From Rolling Stone · Jack Crosbie · · 1m 40s
Report: US will pay for $2.8 billion in bombs for Israel
The Trump administration plans to fund Israel's purchase of 40,000 heavy bombs with US money, even as most Americans oppose more military aid.
In brief
The Trump administration plans to fund Israel's purchase of 40,000 heavy bombs with US money, even as most Americans oppose more military aid. This is not a normal arms sale. Through Foreign Military Financing, American taxpayers would cover the cost of the bombs Israel receives. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
A $2.8 billion bomb deal
With the war in Iran still going, the Washington Post reports the Trump administration is preparing to send Israel $2.8 billion worth of bombs.
Taxpayers cover the bill
In a typical arms deal, a country buys US weapons and the money flows back into the US economy. Here, the Foreign Military Financing program means the US gives Israel the money to buy them.
Most Americans are against it
In 2024, 52 percent of Americans said the US should stop sending Israel weapons. A NYT/Siena poll found majority opposition to more aid, and a June Quinnipiac poll found nearly half think the US is too supportive.
Congress may not get a say
Congressional committees have been notified. But past Trump arms deals have skipped the usual steps, so lawmakers may not get a real chance to push back.
“All foreign arms sales are moving through the appropriate process. We do not comment on pending sales.”
40,000 heavy bombs
The deal includes 40,000 bombs of 2,000 pounds or more. Many are bunker busters with penetrator warheads that leave huge craters and throw deadly shrapnel hundreds of yards.
The bomb Biden blocked
Most are MK-84s or BLU-117s, huge unguided bombs. Israel has been criticized for using MK-84s in crowded civilian areas. Biden blocked sales of them during the Gaza war, and Trump reversed that once back in office.
Here's the gist
This is not a normal arms sale. Through Foreign Military Financing, American taxpayers would cover the cost of the bombs Israel receives.
