'Have to tell India...': Trump hints at US poll meddling
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has hinted at election interference in India after Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) canceled a $21 million USAID grant to India to boost voter participation.
Speaking at a summit, Trump questioned the need for such an expense and suggested it could be an effort to influence India's elections.
"Why do we need to spend $21 million...in India? I guess they (Biden administration) were trying to get somebody else elected," Trump said.
Funding cut
Trump defends cancelation of international aid programs
"We have got to tell the Indian Government. This is a total breakthrough," Trump added.
The DOGE, formed during Trump's administration to limit government spending, had announced the cancelation of $723 million for foreign aid, including the $21 million for India.
Trump backed the decision, asking why US taxpayers' money should be spent on such programs abroad when the same need exists at home.
Political response
India's ruling party criticizes grant as 'external interference'
India's ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the grant as "external interference" in its electoral process.
BJP leader Amit Malviya connected the funding to foreign influence and accused George Soros's Open Society Foundations of trying to infiltrate Indian institutions.
He also cited a 2012 Memorandum of Understanding between India's Election Commission and The International Foundation for Electoral Systems, implying it allowed undue foreign influence over India's elections.
Aid reduction
Other canceled foreign aid programs and their implications
The DOGE's announcement also canceled other foreign aid programs like $29 million for Bangladesh's political landscape and $39 million for Nepal's fiscal federalism and biodiversity conservation.
"In less than a...month, DOGE has already saved over $55 billion—and we're just getting started," Trump said.
In fiscal year 2023, USAID spent more than $40 billion in over 130 countries. Most of the funds were used to support governance, health, and humanitarian efforts.
More than 25% of the budget went to Sub-Saharan Africa.