Full Breakdown
Trump Administration Redirects USAID Funds to European Right-Wing Think Tanks
8/12/2026, 10:19:06 PM
Trump Shuts Down USAID and Redirects Funds to European Right-Wing Think Tanks
In February 2025 former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. agency should be closed. Within hours USAID was placed on indefinite administrative leave, ending its operations. The State Department then announced grants that would channel U.S. taxpayer dollars to conservative organisations in the United Kingdom and other European nations.
Background: “America First” and the Shift from Humanitarian Aid
Trump’s administration has argued that USAID projects abroad divert resources from domestic priorities. The shutdown coincided with a broader effort to reorient U.S. foreign assistance toward initiatives that match the administration’s political philosophy.
Funding Details and Recipients
- Total announced funding: $12 million in grants for projects in the United Kingdom.
- Major recipient: $7 million to “878,” a think tank co-founded by former Conservative minister Jacob Rees-Mogg.
- Additional grants: Up to $500,000 per proposal for “public-education” programmes promoting a “national conversation” about shared civilizational values between the U.S. and the UK.
Official Statements from the Administration
The initiative is framed as a defense of “Western heritage” and a counter to perceived cultural erosion in Europe.
Criticism and Opposition
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned the United States against interfering in German elections through these grants.
- Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart accused the programme of “meddling in our democracy.”
- A former U.S. official told the Guardian that normal funding processes are being subverted to favour Trump-aligned causes.
Political Implications and Domestic Reaction
Domestically, the redirection of aid has drawn little attention from Trump’s base. A recent Politico poll found that only one-third of Maga supporters believed the war in Iran was worth its cost, down from half in May. Influential supporters such as podcaster Joe Rogan have publicly criticized the president over the Iran war’s expense.
Timeline of Key Actions
- February 2025: Trump’s Truth Social post calls for USAID’s closure; agency placed on indefinite leave.
- December 2025: New U.S. national security strategy cites “civilizational erasure” in Europe.
- Early 2026: State Department announces $12 million in grants to UK-based conservative groups; $7 million earmarked for 878.
- Early 2026: U.S. embassy in London opens grant program offering up to $500,000 for public-education projects.
- Recent weeks: German Chancellor Merz issues warning; MP Lisa Smart condemns the grants; Politico poll shows declining support for Iran war among Maga voters.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Guardian provides the primary figures for the grant programme, but no other outlet has published independent verification of the exact amounts disbursed or the full list of European recipients. Critics argue the lack of transparent criteria makes it difficult to assess whether the funds are truly for public-education purposes or for political influence. Further documentation from the State Department would be needed to resolve these uncertainties.
