‘They have a lot more money’: Trump justifies cutting $21 million US funding for India’s voter turnout, citing economic strength

Trump admin’s cost-cutting measures

In a move to reduce government spending, the Donald Trump administration’s cost-cutting team, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), canceled several overseas projects, including a $21 million fund allocated for voter turnout efforts in India. The decision sparked significant debate and scrutiny.

Trump defends the decision

President Donald Trump strongly defended DOGE’s action, stating that financial aid for India’s electoral participation was unnecessary given the country’s economic strength. The $21 million fund had been intended to support voter participation initiatives in India’s elections, but Trump asserted that such expenditures should not be a priority for US taxpayers.

Speaking at Mar-a-Lago while signing executive orders, Trump questioned the funding decision, saying, “Why are we giving USD 21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest-taxing countries in the world. We can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving USD 21 million for voter turnout?”

DOGE clarifies the cuts

DOGE, led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, clarified that it had canceled $21 million in funding originally earmarked for voter turnout in India.

In a statement posted on X, DOGE listed the canceled projects, which included:

• $21 million for voter turnout efforts in India
• $29 million for strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh
• $20 million for fiscal federalism in Nepal

DOGE did not provide further details on how these funds were initially planned to be allocated.

Political reactions in India

BJP accuses Congress of enabling foreign interference

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Congress party, accusing it of allowing foreign intervention in India’s democratic institutions.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, stating, “It is becoming increasingly evident that the Congress-led UPA systematically enabled the infiltration of India’s institutions by forces opposed to the nation’s interests.”

Malviya further claimed that billionaire George Soros was involved in India’s electoral process as part of a broader effort to weaken the country.

Congress calls for investigation

In response, the Congress Party demanded a probe into the matter. Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken expressed concern, emphasizing, “Any kind of foreign intervention in our democratic or election process is unwarranted and unacceptable. We oppose it and demand an investigation into the matter.”

Concerns over USAID’s role

Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raised doubts about the DOGE claim.

Sanyal questioned where the $21 million for India was allocated and who received the funds. “Would love to find out who received the US $21mn spent to improve voter turnout in India and the US$29mn to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh; not to mention the US $29mn spent to improve fiscal federalism in Nepal. USAID is the biggest scam in human history,” Sanyal wrote on X.

BJP leader Amit Malviya also reacted strongly to DOGE’s statement, saying, “$21M for voter turnout? This is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who benefits from this? Certainly not the ruling party!”

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