A recent video of former U.S. President Donald Trump questioning why USAID allocated $21 million for Indian elections has gone viral. Trump, in his characteristic style, raised concerns over why American taxpayer money was being spent to influence voter turnout in India. His remarks have reignited a debate about USAID’s financial activities in foreign countries, including India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Trump’s Criticism of USAID Spending
In the viral clip, Trump openly criticizes the Biden administration for allowing USAID to allocate millions to India’s election process. He questions why the U.S. should be paying for voter turnout in India, a country with a strong economy. He argues that India is not in need of such financial assistance and calls for a thorough audit of how American funds are being spent abroad.
Trump also extends his criticism to other countries, particularly Nepal and Bangladesh, where USAID funds have been allocated for voter confidence programs and fiscal federalism. He labels these expenditures as “fraud,” suggesting that such financial allocations are part of a larger, questionable global spending pattern.
#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, “Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India… pic.twitter.com/W26OEGEejT
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2025
USAID’s Role in India
USAID has been actively involved in India for decades, funding various projects related to clean energy, healthcare, and social welfare. According to reports, between 2001 and 2025, the agency has spent approximately $3 billion in India. Some of these funds have gone toward:
- Energy efficiency projects
- Partnerships with Indian Railways
- Support for informal sector workers during COVID-19
While some of these initiatives appear justifiable, Trump’s remarks specifically highlight spending on voter turnout, a controversial area of intervention.
Reaction in India
Surprisingly, Trump’s statement has not sparked significant debate in Indian mainstream discourse. However, Indian policymakers have raised concerns about USAID’s influence in the past. Sanjeev Sanyal, an advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently labeled USAID’s operations as “one of history’s biggest scams.” He hinted at a broader issue of global influence operations, suggesting that international organizations like the World Bank may also be involved in shaping narratives.
Geopolitical Implications
Trump’s remarks reflect his long-standing stance on cutting unnecessary foreign aid and reducing U.S. involvement in international affairs. His criticism aligns with concerns raised by other countries about foreign influence in domestic electoral processes. If Trump were to return to office, his policies might further limit USAID’s global outreach, affecting its operations in India and other nations.
Final Thoughts
The viral video of Trump questioning USAID’s $21 million expenditure on Indian elections has brought international attention to the issue of foreign funding in democratic processes. While USAID has a history of funding development projects in India, electoral funding raises ethical and political questions. With growing scrutiny, future investigations into USAID’s financial activities may reveal more about the extent of foreign influence in India’s political landscape.
Also Read: Qatar’s $10 Billion Investment in India: A Strategic Game-Changer
Follow Fusion IAS