Since returning to office, President Donald Trump’s administration has significantly altered U.S. foreign aid programs, cutting budgets for established initiatives deemed "not aligned with American interests." Despite these cuts, Congress has mandated continued funding for humanitarian aid, global health, and pro-democracy efforts worldwide.

A recent ProPublica investigation uncovered that a little-known bureau within the State Department, transformed under Trump, is now managing much of this redirected aid. Among the groups considered for funding is Lex Libertas, a British free-speech organization that opposes bans on "gay conversion therapy," and a British-American think tank focusing on "existential threats to Britain, to America, and to our shared Judeo-Christian civilisation." Following congressional pushback, the administration dropped the grant to the think tank.

The originally proposed $5 million grant was later revised to a $1 million funding opportunity open to a broader set of invited groups but intended for similar purposes. The State Department declined to confirm whether Lex Libertas would be invited to apply, citing ongoing deliberations, but stated that the Trump administration has serious concerns about the human rights situation in South Africa.

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 programs in South Africa.

Documents reviewed by ProPublica indicate the proposed grant aims to support individuals facing "deplatforming" and to advocate against "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 denied applying for or receiving any grants from the U.S. State Department or other government branches and did not respond to further questions.

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