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Published : 22 Feb 2025, 11:24 PM
US President Donald Trump has said $29 million of the US government's grant to strengthen the political situation in Bangladesh had gone to an organisation “no one has heard of”.
He said the organisation consists of only two people.
At an event organised with US governors in Washington, DC, Trump said: "$29 million to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh went to an organisation whose name no one has heard of before.
“Can you imagine? With a small organisation, getting $10,000 here and there, and then suddenly receiving $29 million from the US government!
“They had two people working in that firm. I think they’re very rich and happy now.
“Soon, their pictures will be on the cover of some business magazine for being great scammers."
Since starting his second term, Trump has taken steps to reduce government spending by establishing the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, headed by billionaire Elon Musk.
One of the goals of this department is to cut allocations across various sectors.
The Trump administration has also started implementing this.
In addition to laying off staff in various government agencies, there have been announcements to stop US aid to several countries, particularly through United States Agency for International Development, or USAID.
On Feb 16, the DOGE announced the cancellation of 15 grants, including a $29 million grant “to strengthen the political situation in Bangladesh”.
Trump also talked about similar assistance given by the United States to India, before mentioning Bangladesh in his speech.
The list of DOGE's cancelled grants also included $21 million to increase India's “voter turnout”.
In his discussion with the governors, Trump highlighted a grant given to India, saying: “My friend Prime Minister Modi received $21 million for India to increase voter turnout.
“So, what about us? I want voter turnout too.”
Upon taking office, Trump initially targeted USAID, the US agency responsible for overseeing humanitarian assistance programmes abroad since the 1960s.
Trump and Musk claim the agency has spent US taxpayer money on various unnecessary projects that have not benefited the US, but have instead allowed many to fill their pockets through fraud.
They allege that USAID has also spent money on controlling political campaigns in various countries.
Trump also began laying off staff to cut US government costs, with his most recent decision to fire over 11,000 employees from the Pentagon and the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS.
