Since returning to office, President Donald Trump’s administration has significantly altered U.S. foreign aid programs, labeling many longstanding 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 lesser-known bureau within the State Department, which has undergone dramatic transformation under Trump, is now managing much of this redirected funding. Among the groups considered for funding was a British free-speech organization opposing bans on “gay conversion therapy” and a British-American think tank focusing on perceived existential threats to Western civilization; the latter grant was dropped following congressional pushback.

One notable proposal involved a $5 million grant intended to support individuals facing "deplatforming" and to advocate against "restrictive online safety and hate speech laws." This grant was later broadened to invite a wider range of groups to apply for $1 million in funding for similar purposes. The State Department declined to confirm whether the group Lex Libertas, linked to these efforts, would be invited to compete but stated that the Trump administration holds serious concerns about human rights issues in South Africa.

Over the past 18 months, President Trump has asserted that white South Africans are victims of genocide and disproportionate violence. These claims have been used to justify cutting U.S. funding for HIV treatment and research in the region.

Additionally, a recent call for proposals from the bureau seeks to fund research, conferences, and cultural engagements in wealthy democracies aimed at fostering "civilizational self-confidence in Europe."

The founder of Lex Libertas denied applying for or receiving any grants from the U.S. State Department or other government branches and did not respond to further inquiries.

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