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 aligned with the administration’s revised priorities. Among these is a proposal to fund research on crime against Afrikaners in South Africa, a topic tied to the administration’s expressed concerns about human rights in the country.

The State Department declined to confirm whether the British organization Lex Libertas, which has been linked to these efforts, will be invited to compete for a $1 million grant. The department emphasized the administration’s serious concerns about the human rights situation in South Africa that need addressing.

Over the past 18 months, President Trump has claimed 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 in the region.

Additionally, a proposed $5 million grant would support individuals facing "deplatforming" and advocate against restrictive online safety and hate speech laws. A call for proposals from the bureau also aims to fund research, conferences, and cultural engagements in wealthy democracies to foster "civilizational self-confidence in Europe."

The founder of Lex Libertas stated the organization had neither applied for nor received any grants from the U.S. State Department or other government branches but did not answer further questions.

Sources