Senator Rand Paul released his 2025 Festivus Report, spotlighting what he calls extraordinary federal waste and praising President Donald Trump for his decisive rescission of $5 billion in foreign aid. The report, highlighted in a Fox News segment, documents $1.6 trillion in federal spending deemed unnecessary, with examples that have drawn national attention for their perceived absurdity.

Among the findings, the report cites $15 million allocated to “monkeys playing a video game” and $1.1 million spent on teenage ferrets binge-drinking alcohol. Additional expenditures included dosing dogs with cocaine and funding safe spaces at private universities. Paul argued that these allocations exemplify systemic inefficiencies in federal budgeting and the need for stronger oversight.

Senator Paul commended President Trump for his unilateral action in rescinding $5 billion in foreign aid, calling it a tangible example of responsible fiscal leadership. He contrasted this with unchecked federal spending, warning that such waste contributes to the $40 trillion national debt and undermines economic stability.

The report also promotes Paul’s broader fiscal reform proposal, the “Six Penny Plan,” which advocates for six percent annual cuts across discretionary federal programs. Paul emphasized that his recommendations are grounded in peer-reviewed economic analyses, including studies from outlets like the Journal of Economic Perspectives, highlighting the long-term benefits of disciplined spending.

Supporters praised the Festivus Report as a necessary wake-up call for lawmakers, spotlighting how taxpayer dollars are often misallocated. Critics, meanwhile, questioned the political framing, though many agreed that wasteful expenditures highlighted in the report could be trimmed without harming essential services.

By releasing the Festivus Report, Senator Paul reinforced his commitment to fiscal conservatism, transparency, and accountability, urging both Congress and the White House to prioritize responsible spending policies that strengthen the nation’s financial future.