Trump Questions $21 Million Grant for India’s Voter Turnout
Donald Trump recently raised concerns about the Biden administration’s decision to allocate $21 million to India for boosting “voter turnout.” He questioned if the goal was to help elect a particular individual. Speaking at a summit in Miami, he remarked, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We need to tell the Indian Government… This is a total breakthrough.”
DOGE Cancels $21 Million for India
Trump’s comments followed the announcement by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, revealing that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) had contributed $21 million for voter turnout in India. DOGE, the cost-cutting agency set up by Trump, listed this expenditure among others which were later cancelled. They also flagged other grants, including $29 million for Bangladesh’s political landscape and $39 million for federalism and biodiversity in Nepal. Also: Trump says no one can challenge him on India’s reciprocal tariff.
Trump Defends DOGE’s Move
Trump defended DOGE’s action, emphasizing that the agency had already saved over $55 billion in less than a month. “We will shrink the federal government and grow the economy,” he added, expressing confidence in the agency’s future efforts.
Criticism of the $21 Million Grant
President Trump reads some examples of the massive fraud, waste and abuse his administration has CUT from the federal government.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 19, 2025
PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT. pic.twitter.com/br9a1AKihY
Earlier, Trump criticized the rationale behind spending US taxpayer money on voter turnout in India, asking, “Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have more money, and their tariffs are high. What about voter turnout here in the US?”
BJP’s Reaction to USAID Grant
In India, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked the Congress party over the $21 million grant, calling it foreign interference in India’s electoral process. BJP leader Amit Malviya stated, “Who gains from this? Not the ruling party (BJP) for sure!” He linked the funding to the alleged infiltration of Indian institutions by foreign entities. Malviya also criticized financier George Soros, accusing him of influencing domestic politics through his Open Society Foundations, and pointed to a 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India’s Election Commission and an organization connected to Soros’s foundation.