Trump slams $21M US funding for India’s voter turnout, calls it a ‘kickback scheme’
PTC Web Desk: Former US President Donald Trump has once again criticised the now-cancelled $21 million fund earmarked for increasing voter turnout in India, calling it a “kickback scheme.” Speaking at the Republican Governors Association meeting, US President Trump questioned the need for US taxpayer dollars to be allocated for voter mobilisation in India, arguing that the United States should prioritise its own electoral concerns.
During his address, Trump said, “$21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we even concerned about India’s voter turnout? We have enough problems here. We should be focusing on our own elections.” He further questioned how India would utilise such funds and implied potential misuse. “Can you imagine all that money going to India? I wonder what they think when they receive it. It’s a kickback scheme,” he said in a statement televised by NBC News.
Trump also referenced another US funding initiative, criticising the allocation of $29 million to Bangladesh for strengthening its political landscape. “Nobody even knows what ‘strengthening the political landscape’ means. Anytime we see such vague terms, it’s usually a sign of a kickback,” he claimed.
Trump’s criticism comes after the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) released a statement listing US-funded projects that were recently scrapped. Among them was the $21 million earmarked for boosting voter participation in India. The list, which was made public, emphasised a broader effort to cut spending on foreign electoral initiatives.
DOGE’s statement read, “US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” with specific mention of the $21 million meant for India's voter turnout campaign.
On Thursday, Trump hinted that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) may have been attempting to interfere in India's elections. “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? Were they trying to get someone else elected? This is a total breakthrough. We need to inform the Indian government,” he stated.
Political controversy in India
Trump’s comments have sparked a heated political debate in India, with the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party engaging in a war of words.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused certain groups of using foreign funds to influence India’s political landscape. “A day after Trump exposed the $21 million funneled into India for voter turnout, he has reiterated his claim. This money is also used to sustain deep-state assets who work to deflect such revelations,” Malviya alleged.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera dismissed the BJP’s allegations, countering that the Modi government should take responsibility for the inflow of such funds. “For the past week, there has been a narrative that USAID provided $21 million to destabilise the Modi government. If this money actually entered India despite the presence of multiple security agencies, it is a matter of grave concern for the BJP-led government,” Khera said. He further pointed out that the government itself admitted that the funds had entered India in 2012 under the Congress-led UPA regime. “In that case, did the BJP win the 2014 elections with this money?” he questioned.
- With inputs from agencies
