Millions of US tax dollars sent to rightwing European thinktanks. Did any Trump supporters vote for that? | Arwa Mahdawi
Summary
President Donald Trump criticized the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and effectively shut it down, claiming it wasted taxpayer money abroad. Despite this, millions of US tax dollars are still being sent overseas to rightwing think tanks in Europe that support Trump-aligned political ideas.Key Facts
- President Trump called USAID corrupt and ordered it closed, placing most staff on indefinite leave.
- USAID was accused by Trump supporters of wasting money on foreign projects, like buying condoms for Gaza.
- After USAID’s closure, US funds still go abroad, primarily to rightwing European think tanks promoting Trumpism.
- The US State Department plans to give $12 million to conservative groups in the UK, including $7 million to the newly formed think tank 878, co-founded by Jacob Rees-Mogg.
- The funding aims to support shared political and cultural values between the US and UK, with unclear and vague goals.
- Some US officials say funding processes have been altered to benefit Trump-aligned causes.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned against US interference in German elections following these grants.
- Critics say this spending contradicts Trump’s “America first” promise and may be an attempt to influence foreign politics.
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