Since returning to office, President Donald Trump’s administration has significantly altered U.S. foreign aid programs, labeling many established initiatives as misaligned with American interests and cutting their budgets. Despite these changes, billions of dollars allocated by Congress for foreign aid must still be spent, with lawmakers insisting on continued support for humanitarian aid, global health, and pro-democracy efforts worldwide.

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 such as a British free-speech organization opposing bans on “gay conversion therapy” and a British-American think tank focused on "existential threats to Britain, America, and Judeo-Christian civilization." After congressional pushback, one such grant was dropped.

One notable proposal involves a $5 million grant intended to support research, conferences, and cultural engagements in wealthy democracies to foster “civilizational self-confidence in Europe.” This grant would also aid individuals facing "deplatforming" and advocate against "restrictive online safety and hate speech laws," according to documents reviewed by ProPublica. The organization linked to this grant, Lex Libertas, stated it had neither applied for nor received any U.S. government funding.

The State Department declined to confirm whether Lex Libertas would be invited to compete for the $1 million funding, citing ongoing deliberations. However, it emphasized that the Trump administration has serious concerns about the human rights situation in South Africa that need to be addressed.

Over the past 18 months, President Trump has claimed there is a genocide of white South Africans and cited disproportionate violence against white people to justify cutting U.S. funding for HIV treatment and research in South Africa.

This shift in foreign aid priorities reflects a broader realignment under the Trump administration, moving away from traditional programs toward more narrowly focused initiatives.

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