New York Liberty player Natasha Cloud recently made a claim suggesting that American taxpayers are funding free healthcare for Israelis amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which coincidentally marks the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
In her post on X, Cloud expressed frustration, stating, “Happy New Year! Our government is shutting down because Republicans are trying to take away health care from hard-working Americans. Israel has free health care. It’s paid for by none other than the American taxpayers. What are we actually saying?”
It’s worth noting that Israel has its own universal health insurance system, primarily funded through national income taxes and health-related taxes from residents. While certain U.S. aid does have an indirect influence on Israel’s healthcare system—largely through military funding and targeted grants for medical equipment—Cloud’s assertion lacks substantial backing.
On another note, as tensions rise, Senate Democrats recently blocked Republican attempts to reopen the government for the sixth time. The Democrats, under Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are focusing on reviving government operations centered on healthcare, especially amidst expiring tax credits related to the Affordable Care Act.
Cloud’s comment faced backlash, falling into the realm of scrutiny on social media and prompting fact-checking efforts.
Throughout the past year, Cloud has stirred controversy with her outspoken progressive views online. She made several provocative posts following the events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the arrest of suspect Tyler Robinson. One of her posts, which sparked significant criticism, speculated on the political ideology of Robinson’s family and was later deleted.
In her reflection, Cloud shared, “I grew up in a good middle-class family, my father was an officer and church leader, and my whole family were Republicans and gun owners.” Yet she identified herself as a Trump supporter, highlighting a disconnect in her views.
Cloud had also made unverified claims labeling Robinson as a “far-right Republican” and controversially linked him to recent threats against historically Black colleges and universities. At the time, the FBI noted it was aware of false and threatening calls made against these institutions.
Despite the backlash, she continued to assert the narrative that racism, not politics, fueled the threats against HBCUs, stating, “So why are you threatening HBCUs when it was a 22-year-old white boy from Utah who shot Charlie? That’s racism. It’s not politics.” Cloud’s posts reflected a deeper frustration about social dynamics and political choices.
In July, during an interview, she criticized President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, demonstrating her tendency to voice strong opinions on political matters. She expressed support for socialist mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani, warning that if Trump were to send ICE to New York, “you’re going to learn the hard way,” implying that New Yorkers don’t respond lightly to threats.
Her comments about the state of politics and the Trump administration’s actions reveal a consistent, albeit polarizing, perspective throughout her social media activities. She reacted to the U.S. military’s actions in Iran, calling it a “sad and sad day” and referencing impeachment.
In response to Trump’s move to end various government DEI programs, Cloud remarked, “The power system has always functioned as intended. And it’s time to break out of a system that only caters to white men.”
Ultimately, the Liberty’s season concluded on September 19, following a defeat to the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs.
