USAID | Why is $21 million being given for elections in India, is it interference in elections: Donald Trump questions
For over a decade, the American agency USAID (United States Agency for International Development) has been working quietly, but now it is at the center of controversy.
Washington: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has raised questions about the $21 million USD fund provided by the U.S. organization USAID for elections in India, accusing the agency of contributing to election interference.
Speaking at an event in Miami, Trump defended his decision to cancel the funding, expressing doubt that the funds were intended for genuine development and suggesting that they were aimed at influencing elections. He also voiced concerns about Russian interference in American elections.
Trump questioned why the U.S. should spend $21 million for elections in India, speculating that it was an attempt to influence the selection of a leader. He pointed out that when Russia spent about $2,000 in the U.S. elections, it was considered a significant amount. He accused Russia of spending that amount on internet ads.
After Elon Musk’s Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) supported the decision to halt the $21 million fund for voter outreach in India, Trump made this statement.
While signing executive orders at Mar-a-Lago, Trump remarked, “Why should we spend $21 million to get people to vote in India? They have plenty of money. Our country is one of the highest-taxed in the world. Their taxes are very high.”
Donald Trump
In the Biden administration, most of the U.S. aid to India has been allocated for health initiatives, according to government statistics. Notably, in the last four years, the U.S. aid to India has been 35% lower compared to Pakistan’s $970 million, while it has been higher than the $49.7 million provided to China. Over the past four years, the U.S. has provided $720 million in aid to India, with 64% of it allocated for health initiatives.
On February 16, the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, listed the items that U.S. taxpayers’ money would be spent on. The list included the $21 million USD for elections in India.
Donald Trump
“India is also one of the highest-taxed countries in the world; they have plenty of money, why should we be giving them money?” said Trump.
What is USAID?
USAID (United States Agency for International Development) has been working silently for decades but is now at the center of controversy. The DOGE Department, led by Elon Musk, published a list of foreign aid expenditures by USAID, which included a $21 million fund for elections in India, and subsequently decided to halt the funding. Trump has referred to USAID as a “criminal organization,” accusing it of misusing U.S. taxpayers’ money.
Trump has questioned the legitimacy of the $21 million election fund provided to India under the previous Biden administration, suggesting that it might have been an attempt to change the Modi government.
“What do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India.I guess they were trying to get someone else elected. We need to tell the Indian government”.
President Donald Trump confirms election interference in India pic.twitter.com/rLEFhof0mT
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) February 20, 2025
USAID stands for United States Agency for International Development, an agency of the U.S. government that provides international development aid.
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