Since returning to office, President Donald Trump’s administration has significantly altered U.S. foreign aid programs, cutting budgets for established initiatives deemed "not aligned with American interests." Despite these cuts, billions of dollars allocated by Congress for foreign aid must still be spent, with lawmakers insisting on continued funding for humanitarian aid, global health, and pro-democracy efforts.

A recent investigation by ProPublica uncovered that a little-known bureau within the State Department, which has undergone dramatic transformation under Trump, is now considering funding groups that reflect the administration’s new priorities. Among these is a proposed grant initially aimed at supporting research on crime against Afrikaners in South Africa, a topic tied to Trump’s claims over the past 18 months of a genocide against white South Africans. These claims have also been used to justify cutting U.S. funding for HIV treatment and research.

The proposed grant, originally set at $5 million, was later expanded to invite a broader set of groups to compete for $1 million in funding, though it remains focused on similar objectives. The State Department declined to confirm whether the British organization Lex Libertas, linked to this grant, will be invited to apply, citing ongoing deliberations. However, the department stated that the Trump administration has serious concerns about the human rights situation in South Africa that need addressing.

Additional funding proposals from the bureau include support for individuals facing "deplatforming" and opposition to "restrictive online safety and hate speech laws," as well as grants for research, conferences, and cultural engagements aimed at fostering "civilizational self-confidence in Europe."

The investigation highlights a stark shift in U.S. foreign aid priorities under Trump, with a narrower focus that critics say favors fringe groups and minority interests over broader humanitarian goals.

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