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 lesser-known bureau within the State Department, which has undergone dramatic transformation under Trump, is now considering funding groups including a British free-speech organization and a British-American think tank focused on perceived existential threats to Western civilization. After congressional pushback, a previously proposed grant was expanded to invite a broader set of groups to compete for $1 million in funding, maintaining the original purpose.

The State Department declined to confirm whether the organization Lex Libertas would be among the invitees but stated that the Trump administration holds serious concerns about human rights issues in South Africa that require attention. Over the past 18 months, 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.

One proposed $5 million grant aims to support individuals facing "deplatforming" and to oppose "restrictive online safety and hate speech laws," according to documents reviewed by ProPublica. The founder of the organization linked to this grant denied applying for or receiving any U.S. government funding and did not answer further questions. Additionally, a recent call for proposals from the bureau seeks to fund research, conferences, and cultural engagements in wealthy democracies to foster "civilizational self-confidence in Europe."

These developments highlight a marked shift in U.S. foreign aid priorities under the Trump administration, focusing on narrower interests and controversial issues, particularly relating to South Africa and Western cultural identity.

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