Lesotho’s government has strongly reacted to US President Donald Trump’s recent comments, where he mocked the country and questioned a reported $8 million US aid program for LGBTQ rights. The foreign minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, called the remarks “shocking and embarrassing” and announced that an official protest letter would be sent to Washington.
During his address to Congress, Trump claimed that the US had allocated “eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho,” before dismissing the country as one “nobody has ever heard of.” His comments were met with laughter from Republican lawmakers.
Lesotho Denies Receiving US LGBTQ Aid
Lesotho’s primary LGBTQ rights group, the People’s Matrix, denied receiving any such financial support from the US government.
“We are literally not receiving grants from the US,” said spokesperson Tampose Mothopeng. “We have no idea of the allocation of eight million dollars and do not know who received or is going to receive that money.”
According to the US government’s foreign assistance website, there was no record of US aid specifically for LGBTQ programs in Lesotho. However, it did indicate that approximately $120 million had been spent on health and population initiatives in the country in 2024, including $43.5 million for HIV/AIDS treatment.
US Aid in Lesotho Focused on HIV/AIDS Efforts
Lesotho, a small, mountainous nation surrounded by South Africa, has one of the highest HIV rates globally, with nearly one in four adults living with the disease. Since 2006, the US has committed over $630 million to fighting HIV/AIDS in Lesotho.
Despite this support, more than 30 NGOs recently warned that the country’s HIV programs were at risk following reductions in US foreign aid.
Social Media Reacts to Trump’s Comments
Trump’s remarks sparked reactions from Lesotho’s citizens, who took to social media to respond.
Journalist and activist Kananelo Boloetse posted on X, saying, “Ever heard of Kingdom in the Sky? Guess not, too busy golfing to notice.”
He added, “Lesotho’s the only country in the world entirely above 1,000 meters elevation—higher than your approval ratings ever got. We’re here, we’re proud, and we’re not your punchline.”
