USAID Under Scrutiny as Documents Reveal Funding Details

USAID Under Scrutiny as Documents Reveal Funding Details

Newly released documents have cast a spotlight on the funding activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), revealing financial allocations to a range of global projects. The disclosures, made by former President Donald Trump’s administration, have reignited debates over the agency’s spending priorities, with some projects being labeled as “ridiculous” by critics. The revelations come in the wake of an executive order issued by Mr. Trump to review and realign US foreign aid, imposing a 90-day pause on certain funding programs.

Crazy waste of your tax money! https://t.co/9dEoj9xeMf

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 5, 2025

Foreign Aid in Focus: USAID’s Controversial Allocations

Among the key disclosures, documents indicate that USAID allocated $500,000 to address sectarian violence in Israel, just ten days before the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, an incident that resulted in the loss of at least 1,200 lives. Additionally, USAID directed $5 million to EcoHealth Alliance, an organization linked to bat virus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a subject that has been at the center of global controversy.

The documents further outline claims that at least $10 million worth of USAID-funded meals were sent to an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, raising questions about oversight and accountability in foreign aid distribution.

Funding for LGBTQ+ Initiatives Sparks Debate

The released records also reveal extensive financial support directed toward LGBTQ+ advocacy and related initiatives worldwide. The funding breakdown includes:

• $7.9 million to train Sri Lankan journalists on avoiding binary-gendered language
• $2 million for gender reassignment surgeries and LGBTQ+ activism in Guatemala
• $1.1 million allocated to an Armenian LGBTQ+ group
• $1.5 million for LGBTQ+ advocacy in Jamaica
• $2 million for entrepreneurship initiatives promoting LGBTQ+ equality in Latin America
• $3.9 million supporting LGBTQ+ causes in the Western Balkans
• $5.5 million for activism in Uganda
• $6 million for advancing LGBTQ+ issues in priority countries worldwide
• $6.3 million for men who have sex with men in South Africa

These allocations come amid a broader policy shift under Mr. Trump’s leadership, which sought to roll back government funding for LGBTQ+ programs both domestically and internationally.

Green Projects, Digital Equity, and Other Grants

Beyond social and humanitarian projects, USAID also channeled funds into environmental and technological initiatives. The disclosures highlight:

• $25 million to Deloitte for promoting green transportation in Georgia
• $6 million aimed at transforming digital spaces to reflect feminist democratic principles
• $1.3 million for Arab and Jewish photographers
• $8.3 million under the “USAID Education: Equity and Inclusion” program
• $4.5 million for combatting disinformation in Kazakhstan

Trump Administration Condemns “Wasteful” Spending

Following the release of these documents, the Trump administration issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), asserting,
“For decades, USAID bureaucrats believed they were accountable to no one – but that era is over. President Trump is STOPPING the waste, fraud, and abuse.”

The announcement signals a shift toward greater scrutiny of foreign aid disbursement and has fueled debates on the effectiveness of such programs.

Elon Musk Reacts: “Crazy Waste” of Taxpayer Money

The revelations also prompted a response from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who reacted to the funding details by describing the allocations as a “crazy waste” of taxpayers’ money. His comments add to the broader discourse on government spending and fiscal accountability.

What is USAID?

As the largest humanitarian and development agency of the US government, USAID operates with an annual budget of tens of billions of dollars, employing approximately 10,000 personnel worldwide. Its funding is approved by Congress, with priorities set in coordination with the White House and the State Department.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United States remains the world’s largest provider of official development assistance, with USAID serving as a primary channel for these funds.

As scrutiny over USAID’s financial allocations intensifies, the agency’s role in global humanitarian and development efforts is likely to remain a topic of discussion among policymakers and the public.