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 funding 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 including a British free-speech organization and a British-American think tank focused on perceived existential threats to Western civilization. After congressional pushback, a grant initially intended for one such group was expanded to invite a broader range of applicants for $1 million in funding.

The State Department declined to confirm whether the group Lex Libertas will be invited to compete for funding but stated that the Trump administration holds serious concerns about the human rights situation 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 in the region.

Documents reviewed indicate a proposed $5 million grant aimed to support individuals facing "deplatforming" and to oppose "restrictive online safety and hate speech laws." 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."

The founder of Lex Libertas has 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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