Former US President Donald Trump has again criticized the United States government for its $21 million grant to India in 2012 via USAID for voter turnout. He called it a “kickback scheme” and questioned the need for the expenditure.

Speaking to Republican state governors on Thursday, Trump said, “Can you imagine all that money going to India? I wonder what they think when they get it. Now, it is a kickback scheme… you know… they kick it back to the people that send it…”

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Even though Trump uttered the accusation, he failed to present any evidence or further detail on the accusation.

Trump Asks About Foreign Aid to India and Bangladesh

Trump was upset about such financial aid, wondering why the US government spent $29 million to consolidate the political scene in Bangladesh. He said,
“What the hell do I care about? We got a lot. We got enough problems… and all of this is terminated and We terminated this stuff and we’re on the track. And by the way, there were so many others I could have I could read all night long, but so many were so terrible.”

The previous day, he had also complained about American taxpayers’ funds being used to finance India’s elections, stating, “Why are we sending $21 million to India? They got a lot more money.”

BJP Utilizes Trump’s Statement Against Congress

In India, Trump’s comments have generated a political storm. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is the ruling party, took advantage of the situation to attack Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his earlier statements made in London in 2023.

At a gathering in the UK, Gandhi announced that “a huge chunk of the (global) democratic model had come undone” and urged the US and European countries to pay attention. BJP vigorously condemned these words at the time, alleging he had insulted India abroad.

The leaders of BJP are now taking Trump’s comments and using them to level charges against Gandhi and the Congress party that they are profiting from the so-called USAID funds. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted on X, “$A day after US President Donald Trump commented about $21 million being transferred to India for ‘voter turnout,’ he has repeated the allegation. Pretty much this money is also utilized to keep deep-state assets in place who labor to protect and divert such exposés.”

Also, political commentator Pradeep Bhandari posted on Twitter, “Donald Trump, for the second time, has stated $21 million has gone to ‘voter turnout.’ Labeled it a ‘kickback scheme.’ An inquiry is a must to determine if Rahul Gandhi and the Congress ecosystem were the beneficiaries of this kickback scheme!”

BJP Connects USAID Funds to George Soros

The BJP has also associated USAID funding with billionaire investor George Soros, who is often targeted by the party for supporting anti-India propaganda. BJP asserts that USAID, in tandem with Soros’ charitable foundations, channeled funds to publish stories intended to discredit the ruling party ahead of elections.

Whereas the BJP has asked for the investigation of the case, the Congress party has completely rejected the accusations. The Congress party has sought a detailed investigation and White Paper on USAID funds sent to India and monitoring their utilization.

USAID Funding Cancelled Under DOGE

Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire Elon Musk, has already cut USAID funding to India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and several African countries. The action was part of cost-cutting initiatives ordered during Trump’s presidency.

The row over USAID funds for voter turnout is still escalating, with both BJP and Congress parties exploiting the issue for political capital. As unproven as Trump’s claims are, they have fueled India’s domestic political debate.