Since returning to office, President Donald Trump’s administration has significantly altered U.S. foreign aid programs, labeling many long-standing 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 has been dramatically transformed under Trump. Among the groups considered for funding was a British free-speech organization opposing bans on “gay conversion therapy” and a British-American think tank focused on existential threats to Western civilization; however, the latter grant was dropped following congressional pushback.

Additionally, a proposed $5 million grant aimed to support individuals facing "deplatforming" and to advocate against restrictive online safety and hate speech laws. This grant was later broadened to invite more groups to compete for $1 million in funding, though it remains intended for similar purposes.

The State Department declined to confirm whether the group Lex Libertas, associated with Afrikaner interests, would be invited to compete for funding but stated that the Trump administration holds serious concerns about human rights issues 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.

The bureau has also released calls for proposals to fund research, conferences, and cultural engagements in wealthy democracies aimed at fostering "civilizational self-confidence in Europe."

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