Trump slams 21M dollars USAID fund for India’s voter turnout, calls it ‘kickback scheme’

Former US President Donald Trump has once again raised concerns over USAID’s $21 million funding for voter turnout in India, a program that his administration has now canceled. Addressing US governors in a video shared by National Desk, Trump questioned the rationale behind spending millions abroad while voter participation issues persist within the United States. “USD 21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter turnout. We are giving $21 million for voter turnout in India—what about us? I want voter turnout too, Governor…$29 million to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh went to a firm that nobody ever heard of,” Trump remarked.

Allegations of a ‘Kickback Scheme’

This marks the third consecutive time Trump has publicly criticized the fund. On Friday, the Republican leader labeled the USAID allocation as a “kickback scheme,” implying financial misconduct. “USD 21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we caring about India's turnout? We have got enough problems. We want our own turnout. I would say in many of these cases, anytime you have no idea what we’re talking about, that means there’s a kickback because nobody has any idea what’s going on there," Trump said.

Claims of election interference

Trump’s remarks also hinted at potential US interference in India’s electoral process. Speaking in Florida, he suggested that the funding might have been aimed at influencing election results. “Twenty-one million dollars in voter turnout—why do we need to spend $21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... Because when we hear that Russia spent about two thousand dollars in our country, it was a big deal. They took some internet ads for two thousand dollars. This is a total breakthrough,” Trump stated.

India's response: MEA calls it ‘Deeply Troubling’

India has taken note of Trump's statements, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressing serious concerns. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged the reports and assured that relevant authorities are investigating the matter. “We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain US activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling,” Jaiswal said.