WASHINGTON, Feb. 19—Days after the US Department of Government Efficiency, headed by billionaire Elon Musk, announced sweeping budget cuts, including a $21 million allocation for “voter turnout in India,” President Donald Trump questioned the need for such financial support.
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Tuesday, Trump said India, with its expanding economy and high taxation rates, should not receive US taxpayer money for election-related initiatives.
“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout?” Trump said.
Musk, appointed by Trump last month to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been tasked with eliminating wasteful expenditures. On February 15, DOGE announced a series of program cancellations, including $486 million in grants to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.” The list included $21 million earmarked for “voter turnout in India” and $22 million for “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova. No further details were provided on the funding.
The move follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, during which he met with both Trump and Musk.
Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya reacted strongly to the now-canceled grant, calling it “external interference” in India’s electoral process.
“$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” Malviya posted on X.
He claimed the funding was a continuation of past attempts to influence Indian institutions, linking it to the previous Congress-led UPA government.
