US Fund
'They were trying to get somebody else elected': Donald Trump slams Biden regime over 'voter turnout' fund for India
Washington/IBNS: US President Donald Trump has accused the Biden administration of meddling in Indian politics and trying to influence the country's election results with the now scrapped fund of $21 million which was spent in India.
Speaking at a summit in Miami on Wednesday, Trump said, "Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... This is a total breakthrough."
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
Days ago, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is helmed by billionaire Elon Musk, cancelled a $21 million US taxpayer-funded grant, initiated by former President Joe Biden's administration to influence the "voter turnout in India."
In its announcement, DOGE stated the $21 million was part of a larger $486 million budget allocated to the "Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening."
Another $29 million was slated for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh" - a country that witnessed political turmoil amid allegations of US 'deep state' involvement in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025
- $10M for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision"
- $9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop "a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills"
- $2.3M for "strengthening…
Backing the DOGE's decision to scrap the fund, Trump on Tuesday at a presser, "Why are we giving $21 million to India? They got 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 and the Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout? In India? What about like voter turnout here?"
Several other funding for countries from Asia and Africa have also faced similar fate.
The sweeping cancellations were part of efforts to improve government efficiency and ensure taxpayer dollars were not being spent on "questionable" overseas political activities, DOGE stated.
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