Donald Trump News / What about us, we also need... Donald Trump spoke on funding in India to increase voting

Donald Trump News: US President Donald Trump has once again raised questions on US funding for voter turnout in India. He said, "We fund our friend Prime Minister Modi with $21 million (about Rs 182 crore) to increase voter turnout. But what about us? We also need it." Along with this, Trump also made a statement about Bangladesh, "We give Bangladesh $29 million (about Rs 251 crore) in funding for voter turnout." Trump's displeasure over USAID funding Trump criticized the current Biden administration over this funding and raised the question, "Why is American taxpayers' money being spent to increase voting in India?" The statement came at a time when the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) revealed that "the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had allocated an amount of $21 million to increase voter turnout in India." Biden administration accused of election interference

Trump also claimed in his statement that "the Biden administration is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to influence elections in India. They were trying to make someone else win the election." However, after this controversy, the US has canceled this funding given for voter turnout in India.

Political turmoil in India

After the DOGE report became public, political turmoil has intensified in India. The opposition has sought an answer from the government on this matter, while the ruling party has termed it as "foreign interference in India's internal affairs". The Indian Foreign Ministry said that "we are taking this issue seriously and it will be investigated."

Was the purpose of USAID funding right?

According to USAID, this funding is done to strengthen democracy and ensure fair elections. However, Trump and his supporters believe that this is a misuse of American taxpayers' money.

What next?

After Trump's statement, it will be interesting to see what effect it has on the diplomatic relations between India and America. At the same time, the Biden administration may also have to give clarification on this matter. In Indian politics too, this issue can become the center of discussion in the upcoming elections.

We giving $21m for voter turnout in India, what about us, I want voter turnout too, says US Prez Trump on $21 m USAID funding for voter turnout (3rd comment in 3 days) pic.twitter.com/FZrX92spN5

— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) February 22, 2025