Former US President Donald Trump has defended the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) decision to cancel a $21 million fund that was initially designated for voter turnout initiatives in India. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago while signing executive orders, Trump questioned the necessity of such financial aid, arguing that India, with its strong economy and high tariff policies, did not require US taxpayer support. He emphasized his respect for India and its leadership but expressed skepticism about the allocation of American funds for electoral purposes in another country.
The controversy erupted after DOGE, led by Elon Musk, announced on February 16 that it was canceling the initiative. In a statement on X, the department outlined several spending cuts, highlighting the $21 million fund for voter turnout in India as one of the scrapped allocations. The decision quickly gained attention, sparking a political debate in India.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized on the announcement to criticize the opposition Congress party, alleging that the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had facilitated external influence over India’s democratic institutions. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that billionaire investor George Soros, a frequent critic of nationalist governments and allegedly linked to the Congress party, had an interest in India’s electoral process. He suggested that Soros’ influence was an ongoing concern that needed to be addressed.
