Story perspectives

Trump Administration Grants $12 M to UK Right-Wing Groups, Faces Criticism

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s State Department intends to award $12 million in sole-source grants to UK groups founded by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young.
The grants give $7 million to 878, $5 million to Free Speech Union International and $3 million to Jobs Foundation, which former U.S. officials deem a misuse of taxpayer money bypassing vetting.
Andy Burnham, the UK Labour prime minister, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz object, warning the funding risks foreign interference.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s State Department intends to award $12 million in sole-source grants to UK groups founded by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young.
The grants give $7 million to 878, $5 million to Free Speech Union International and $3 million to Jobs Foundation, which former U.S. officials deem a misuse of taxpayer money bypassing vetting.
Andy Burnham, the UK Labour prime minister, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz object, warning the funding risks foreign interference.