Donald Trump criticized the $21 million USAID funding to India for voter turnout, calling it a “kickback scheme” and questioning why U.S. taxpayers’ money was used for a country with ample resources. He maintained that the funding should be terminated as the U.S. faces its own issues. Trump’s remarks were seized upon by India’s BJP party to attack Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, linking the funding to “deep state assets” and suggesting potential benefits for Gandhi’s party. The Congress denied these allegations and demanded transparency regarding USAID’s financial activities in India. The funding row has intensified political tensions between the BJP and Congress.
New Delhi:
On Thursday, Donald Trump reiterated his criticism of the $21 million in U.S. government funding allocated to India in 2012 through the global aid agency USAID for ‘voter turnout.’ He referred to it as a “kickback scheme,” stating, “What the hell do I care about it? We have enough problems (of our own).”
However, the U.S. President did not provide further details or evidence regarding his allegations.
Speaking to a gathering of Republican state Governors, Trump remarked, “Can you believe that all this money is going to India? I can only wonder what they think when they receive it. Now, it’s a kickback scheme… you know… they send it back to those who sent it…”
“In many instances, when you have no clue what is being discussed, it usually indicates there’s a kickback, as no one knows what’s happening over there,” he continued, while also expressing skepticism about the $29 million allocated to “strengthen the political landscape” in Bangladesh.
“What do I care about this? We have a lot on our plate. We have more than enough issues… and all of this is coming to an end. We’ve terminated this process, and we’re moving forward. By the way, there were countless other things I could read about all night, but many were absolutely dreadful,” he asserted.
On Wednesday, Trump also questioned the rationale behind using U.S. taxpayer funds for India’s voters, asking, “Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have plenty of money.”
In India, Trump’s remarks—which have included accusations against former President Joe Biden of “trying to get someone else elected” (in last year’s Lok Sabha election won by the BJP)—have been leveraged to criticize Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his comments made in the UK ahead of the 2024 elections.
READ |“Trying To Get Someone Else Elected”: Trump On $21 Million ‘India Fund’
In May 2023, Mr. Gandhi, while attending an event in London, urged the U.S. and European nations to recognize that “a significant part of the (global) democratic model has unravelled.” The BJP responded furiously, accusing Mr. Gandhi of disparaging the country abroad.
This morning, echoing Trump’s “kickback” remarks, BJP leaders Amit Malviya and Pradeep Bhandari contended that the funds had been used to maintain “deep state assets” in India, alleging that Mr. Gandhi and the “Congress ecosystem” were recipients of the $21 million.
A day after U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the $21 million sent to India for voter turnout, he reiterated his claim and clarified he wasn’t conflating it with the $29 million allocated to Bangladesh, this time mentioning kickbacks. Essentially, this money is… pic.twitter.com/Eaj9uXcFx4
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 21, 2025
In a post on X, Mr. Malviya stated, “A day after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his charge about the $21 million sent to India for ‘voter turnout’… essentially this money is also meant to sustain deep-state assets that shield and deflect such revelations.”
Mr. Bhandari asserted, “Donald Trump, for the second time, emphasized that $21 million has gone for ‘voter turnout’… labeling it a ‘kickback scheme.’ We need an investigation to determine if Rahul Gandhi and the Congress ecosystem have benefited from this kickback!”
Neither Mr. Gandhi nor the Congress party has responded as of yet.
The BJP has also associated the funding controversy with frequent target George Soros, claiming funds were diverted through USAID and his philanthropic organizations to disseminate ‘anti-India’ narratives, which the Congress allegedly amplified before elections to tarnish the country’s image.
READ |BJP vs Congress Over Trump’s “$21 Million ‘India Fund” Claim
The Congress has categorically denied the BJP’s accusations and has called for a detailed investigation and a White Paper tracing USAID funds to India and their application in the country.
READ |“In 2012, Ruling Party Was…”: Congress vs BJP In USAID ‘India Voter’ Row
The BJP and Congress have been fiercely contesting since Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE—led by billionaire Elon Musk—terminated USAID funding to India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and several African nations, citing budgetary constraints.
With input from agencies
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