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 emphasizing 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 funding. Among the proposals considered was funding research on crime against Afrikaners in South Africa, reflecting the administration's expressed concerns about human rights issues there.

The State Department declined to confirm whether the British free-speech group Lex Libertas would be invited to compete for a $1 million grant aimed at addressing these concerns, citing ongoing deliberations. The Trump administration has voiced serious concerns about the human rights situation in South Africa, particularly highlighting claims of violence against white South Africans. Over the past 18 months, Trump has argued there is a genocide of white South Africans and used these claims to justify cutting U.S. funding for HIV treatment and research.

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

The investigation highlights a marked shift in U.S. foreign aid priorities under the Trump administration, focusing on narrower interests and controversial issues.

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