“They Take Advantage of Us” Trump Slams USAID Funding to India Again
US President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by targeting the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding allocated to India. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, Trump raised eyebrows by questioning why the US is spending $18 million to support India’s elections when he believes America’s own voting system needs attention. His remarks come amid a heated debate over foreign aid and trade relations between the two nations.
“They take advantage of us pretty good,” Trump said, pointing to India’s high tariffs on US goods. “One of the highest tariffed nations in the world. We try and sell something, they have a 200 percent tariff. And then we’re giving them a lot of money to help them with their election.” His comments reflect a growing frustration with what he sees as an uneven relationship.
During his CPAC speech, Trump didn’t hold back. He suggested the US should ditch electronic voting for “old paper ballots” and even proposed a bold idea: “Why don’t we let them help us with our elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn’t that be nice?” He argued that the $18 million spent on India’s elections is unnecessary, claiming, “They don’t need money.”
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This isn’t the first time Trump has criticized USAID’s involvement in India. Just days ago, at the Republican Governors Association meeting, he called out a $21 million allocation for “voter turnout” in India, labeling it a “kickback scheme.” He also mentioned $29 million sent to Bangladesh to “strengthen the political landscape,” sarcastically noting that it went to “a firm nobody ever heard of” with just two employees. “They’ll be on the cover of a business magazine soon,” he quipped.
Trump’s repeated remarks have sparked a reaction in India. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the allegations on Saturday, expressing concern over the claims. “Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration, and obviously, that is concerning,” he said. “USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities. Now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities in bad faith.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) echoed Jaishankar’s worries. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the situation “deeply troubling” and confirmed that Indian authorities are looking into it. “This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs,” Jaiswal added. The government has promised to investigate and uncover the facts.
Trump’s latest outburst builds on his earlier statements. At the Republican Governors Association, he questioned why the US was funding voter turnout in India, saying, “$21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter turnout. What about us? I want voter turnout too.” He has hinted—without evidence—that the money might have been used to influence India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a claim that has fueled political debates in both countries.
The $18 million figure Trump cited at CPAC differs slightly from the $21 million he mentioned earlier, raising questions about the exact amount and purpose of the funding. Reports suggest the money was part of a broader USAID initiative to support democratic processes worldwide, but Trump sees it as a waste of American taxpayer dollars.
Beyond elections, Trump tied his criticism to trade issues. He accused India of imposing steep tariffs—up to 200 percent—on US products, making it hard for American businesses to compete. “They have a lot more money,” he said at a previous event, questioning why the US should foot the bill for India’s electoral efforts when trade barriers remain high.
