$21 million going to my friend PM Modi
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again raised concerns over the now-canceled $21 million USAID funding earmarked for ‘voter turnout’ in India, directly mentioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his latest remarks.
In a video shared by National Desk, Trump questioned why American taxpayers’ money was being sent abroad for electoral processes. “We are sending USD 21 million to my friend, Prime Minister Modi, for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout here too, Governor… And then there’s USD 29 million for Bangladesh to strengthen its political landscape, which went to a firm nobody has even heard of,” Trump stated.
This marks the third time Trump has raised concerns about the funding, previously suggesting—without providing evidence—that it could have been used to influence India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He also criticized the allocation of separate funds to India and Bangladesh, countering reports that initially claimed the funds were only intended for Bangladesh.
Trump escalated his criticism on Friday, labeling the funding as a potential “kickback scheme.” Speaking in Florida, he remarked, “Why are we spending $21 million to increase voter turnout in India? We have enough issues of our own. We need voter turnout here.” He further suggested, “In many of these cases, when no one really understands where the money is going, it usually means there’s a kickback involved.”
His statements have sparked debates in both the U.S. and India regarding the intended purpose of the funding and whether it had any implications for India’s elections. The controversy continues to draw attention, with BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya responding on X, taking a swipe at the report and the opposition, stating, “For the third day in a row, US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim about USAID funding efforts to promote voter turnout in India… But what does he know about his own country’s spending? The Indian Express and the deranged Left think they know better!”
Trump’s comments are expected to further fuel discussions over international funding practices and electoral influence, keeping the debate over the USAID allocation alive.