'Pure evil': Trump admin sparks firestorm with move to hold HIV treatment hostage

The Trump administration's latest "pure evil" move sparked outrage among political analysts and observers on Monday.

The New York Times reported that the Trump administration's Department of State has drafted a memo outlining reasons to withhold money for "lifesaving" H.I.V. reduction programs in Zambia to force the African country to hand over more of its rare earth minerals. The move could impact as many as 1.3 million Zambians who rely on the programs for medical treatment, according to the report.

"We will only secure our priorities by demonstrating willingness to publicly take support away from Zambia on a massive scale,” the Times reported the memo stated.

The Times previously reported that the Trump administration is pursuing global rare earth mineral deals to break U.S. dependence on China. The country currently mines 70% of the world's rare earth minerals and processes chemicals for 90% of the global supply, the Times reported.

The report sparked outrage among political analysts and observers.

"Things are not okay," economist Justin Wolfers posted on X.

"Genuinely couldn't contemplate that this was a real headline — but it is," Sam Stein, managing editor of the conservative anti-Trump outlet The Bulwark, posted on X.

"Gangster tactics," author Ruth Ben-Ghiat posted on X.

"Every time you think the Trump admin can’t get any worse, they get worse," Ron Filipkowski, editor in chief of the progressive news outlet MeidasTouch, posted on X.

"The US has become that neighbor who says sure, you can borrow a ladder — for a fee," journalist Carl Quintanilla posted on X.

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