Over the years, a staggering amount of American tax dollars have been directed towards left-leaning projects through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Created in 1961 to provide aid to developing countries, this agency now appears to be a bottomless pit of unchecked spending. One notable project aimed to “advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces.”
President Trump and his team have taken a strong stance against such wasteful spending in the government. The Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by Elon Musk, has been unearthing how USAID has been using funds for causes that seem to oppose American values. Although this scandal is just beginning to unfold, there are already numerous questionable projects linked to USAID.
Take, for example, the $45 million allocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion scholarships in Burma. The Department of Government Efficiency reported that several USAID contracts related to DEI, amounting to $375 million, were canceled. Another $1.5 million was set aside to promote economic empowerment for LGBTQI+ individuals in Serbia, aiming to expand opportunities and reduce workplace discrimination.
USAID also allocated $1.5 million for art projects that include people with disabilities. In Vietnam, $19 million was spent on multiple “inclusion” programs. Meanwhile, $1.3 million went towards a photography skills program for Arab and Jewish residents in Israel, offering mixed identity photography workshops.
In Guatemala, $2 million was used to strengthen trans-led organizations to provide gender-affirming healthcare. South Africa saw $37.7 million directed towards studying HIV among sex workers and transgender individuals. Sri Lankan journalists received $7.9 million for training in gender-sensitive reporting.
Armenia received $1.1 million to empower the LGBTI community and protect them from violence and discrimination. In Jamaica, $1.5 million was allocated to upscale LGBT rights advocacy. The spending spree continues with $520 million for environmental, social, and governance investments in Africa.
In Vietnam, USAID spent $2.5 million on building electric vehicle charging stations and related infrastructure. Another $1 million was used in Tajikistan to assist disabled people in becoming “climate leaders.” Georgia received $24 million for a green transportation and logistics program.
USAID also invested $20 million in a new “Sesame Street” show in Iraq called “Ahlan Simsim,” designed to promote inclusion and mutual respect across different groups. According to the White House, $6 million was spent on tourism in Egypt, though some media outlets contested the specifics. USAID’s investment in Egypt’s tourism, however, includes a substantial $100 million.
In Washington, D.C., $1.2 million went towards building a state-of-the-art auditorium for an African Methodist Episcopal Church agency. For USAID employees, $31.5 million was spent on counseling and work-life support services. Additionally, $29 million aimed to improve the skills of young and female Egyptians in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Kazakhstan received $4.5 million to advance integrity and accountability in the information space. USAID also invested $6 million to transform digital spaces to reflect feminist democratic principles. In Afghanistan, $160 million went to updating payment systems, while $1 million was given to a Hamas-linked charity in Gaza.
The spending didn’t stop there, with $15 million directed towards condoms and oral contraceptives in Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan. EcoHealth Alliance, linked to the Wuhan lab associated with COVID-19, received $4.67 million. USAID also funded $330 million for projects that inadvertently fueled heroin production in Afghanistan.
The federal government allegedly provided meals to al Qaeda-affiliated fighters in Syria, according to reports. The White House mentioned that the government gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to a nonprofit linked to terrorist organizations. USAID also reportedly funded the printing of personalized contraceptive devices in developing countries.
USAID awarded $1.2 billion to undisclosed recipients, raising questions about transparency. In the fiscal year 2023, USAID managed a budget of around $43.8 billion. Beyond USAID, the State Department made controversial funding decisions, including $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland and $35,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru.
A transgender opera in Colombia received $47,000, while $22,231 was spent on a USAID Social Media Influencers Campaign. These initiatives represent only a small portion of USAID’s overall spending. As more details emerge, this tracker will continue to shed light on the agency’s expenditures.
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