Trump’s $21M USAID Claim for India Elections Never Existed

Trump’s $21M USAID Claim for India Elections Never Existed

US Congressman Gregory Meeks, a senior Democrat, dismissed President Donald Trump’s claim about a $21 million USAID grant for voter turnout in India.

Democrat Gregory Meeks is the top opposition lawmaker on the powerful Foreign Affairs Committee in the US House of Representatives.(AP)

Meeks, a key member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the grant “never existed.”

His statement directly challenges Trump’s repeated assertions. The claim sparked controversy in India and the US.

Trump’s Allegation Sparks Row

Earlier in 2025, Trump claimed USAID allocated $21 million to boost voter turnout in India. He suggested the funds were meant to influence India’s elections.

“We’re giving $21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us?” Trump said.

His remarks triggered a political storm in India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the opposition Congress of allowing foreign interference. Congress called the claims “nonsensical”

USAID

India’s Ministry of External Affairs called Trump’s claims “deeply troubling.”

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said relevant agencies are investigating. Former Election Commissioner SY Quraishi denied any USAID funding during his 2010-2012 tenure.

He called allegations of a 2012 agreement with a USAID-linked group “malicious.” India’s Finance Ministry confirmed USAID funded seven projects worth $750 million in 2023-24, none related to voter turnout.

Funds Meant for Bangladesh, Not India

Investigations by The Indian Express and The Washington Post revealed the $21 million was for Bangladesh, not India. The funds, sanctioned in 2022, supported youth civic engagement in Bangladesh’s January 2024 elections. Of the $21 million, $13.4 million was already spent. USAID records show no election-related projects in India since 2008.

This contradicts Trump’s narrative of Indian election interference

Elon Musk’s DOGE

The controversy began when Elon Musk’s was in Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced it canceled a $21 million USAID grant for India’s voter turnout.

DOGE, tasked with cutting US government spending, listed the grant among others, like $29 million for Bangladesh. The announcement lacked evidence, prompting criticism.

Meeks’ rebuttal aligns with media findings that the funds were misattributed to India

Political Fallout in India

The BJP used Trump’s claim to attack Congress, alleging it enabled foreign interference during its rule. BJP’s Amit Malviya pointed to a 2012 Election Commission agreement with a USAID-linked group.

Congress demanded a probe, questioning why the Modi government allowed such funds.

S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the issue “worrisome,” noting USAID’s projects in India were meant for “good faith” activities. The debate raises questions about foreign aid’s role in elections.

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