Trump Criticizes USAID Grant Allegedly for India

US President Donald Trump has criticized a $21 million grant, initially believed to boost voter turnout in India, suggesting it was intended to manipulate the electoral outcome favoring a specific candidate. This grant, now canceled by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, was part of a broader initiative to cut federal spending. The Indian government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denounced the funding as 'external interference,' while the opposition Congress party dismissed Trump's claims as 'nonsensical.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously asserted that foreign powers were attempting to influence India's elections. The controversy has sparked a political debate in India, with calls for transparency regarding USAID's financial activities in the country. Despite Trump's allegations, reports indicate that the $21 million was actually allocated for Bangladesh, not India.