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, to America, and to our shared Judeo-Christian civilisation." After congressional pushback, the administration dropped one such grant.

Regarding South Africa, the State Department declined to confirm whether the organization Lex Libertas would be invited to compete for a $1 million grant intended for research on crime against Afrikaners. The department stated the Trump administration holds serious concerns about human rights issues in South Africa that require attention.

Over the past 18 months, Trump has claimed 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 country.

Additionally, a proposed $5 million grant aims to support individuals facing "deplatforming" and to oppose "restrictive online safety and hate speech laws," according to documents reviewed. The bureau also recently issued a call for proposals to fund research, conferences, and cultural engagements in wealthy democracies to foster "civilizational self-confidence in Europe."

The founder of the organization mentioned denied applying for or receiving any U.S. government grants and did not respond to further inquiries.

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