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 emphasizing 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 Western civilization. After congressional pushback, the administration dropped one such grant.

Regarding South Africa, the State Department declined to confirm whether the group Lex Libertas would be invited to apply for a $1 million grant but stated that the Trump administration has serious concerns about human rights conditions in the country that require attention. Over the past 18 months, Trump has asserted there is a genocide of white South Africans and cited disproportionate violence against white people as justification for cutting U.S. funding for HIV treatment and research.

The proposed grant would support individuals facing “deplatforming” and advocate against restrictive online safety and hate speech laws. Additionally, a recent call for proposals from the bureau aims to fund research, conferences, and cultural engagements in wealthy democracies to foster “civilizational self-confidence in Europe.” The founder of Lex Libertas denied applying for or receiving any U.S. government grants.

This investigation highlights the Trump administration’s reorientation of foreign aid priorities, focusing on narrower interests and controversial issues, including the situation of Afrikaners in South Africa.

Sources