Third Day In A Row, Trump Reiterates the USAID Attempt To Manipulate Indian Elections

Washington: US President Donald Trump, for the third consecutive day, alleged that $21 million was granted to India for ‘voter turnout.’ His claims have already triggered a heated debate between the BJP and Congress , with both parties trading barbs over the claim. While the BJP has latched onto the claim to accuse the opposition of possible foreign interference to maipulate Indian elections, Congress has demanded an apology from the BJP government. 

Trump, addressing media, once again raised the issue, he said, "$21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India for voter turnout. We are giving $21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too." 

BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya posted a video of Trump repeating his claims about USAID funds to India. Sarcastically attacking the leading daily that published a fact check dismissing the claim about India getting USAID funds, Malviya took a dig at the report which suggested that the $21 million wasn’t for India’s elections, but for Bangladesh .

He mocked the Indian Express’s report, saying that Trump is claiming the same thing for the third time, “but what does he know about his own country’s spending? The Indian Express and the deranged Left think they know better” he tweeted. 

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya has made fresh revelations, alleging Omidyar Network’s continued involvement in India despite its official announcement of ceasing operations by December 31, 2024. In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Malviya claimed that Omidyar Network funded an event in Chennai on August 12, 2024, and another in Delhi as recently as January 2025. The timing of these events has raised eyebrows, as Omidyar India’s website had stated that its operations in India had officially ended.  

Malviya also accused The Indian Express of failing to disclose its ties with Omidyar while publishing a fact-check report that dismissed Trump’s claim regarding USAID’s $21 million funding for voter turnout in India. He wrote, “The Indian Express should have disclosed this clear conflict of interest while publishing its flawed story on USAID, but it didn’t.” According to him, Omidyar is part of USAID’s Finance and Investment Network and has been funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, a connection that both organizations have acknowledged on their websites.  

Taking his allegations further, Malviya targeted Jay Mazoomdar, the author of The Indian Express fact-check article. He pointed out that Mazoomdar is a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which partners with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)—an organization allegedly funded by USAID and George Soros. “The conflict doesn’t end there,” Malviya wrote, arguing that these links cast serious doubts on the credibility of the fact-checking report. He claimed that such affiliations influence media narratives and public discourse in India.  

BJP Attacks Congress After Trump’s USAID Claim  

After Trump’s allegations regarding USAID funds, the BJP has intensified its attack on the opposition, especially the Congress. The ruling party has accused Congress of relying on foreign funds to undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election campaign. BJP leaders claim that ever since the NDA government came to power, there has been a significant rise in foreign funding for NGOs, many of which, they allege, are working against national interests.  

The controversy erupted after Trump’s administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, first disclosed that USAID had allocated $21 million to boost voter turnout in India. Following this, BJP leaders have demanded transparency from opposition leaders, questioning their silence on the issue. The party has also pointed out that Modi himself has raised concerns multiple times about foreign powers meddling in India’s internal affairs.  

On February 16, Trump administration’s DOGE announced the cancellation of several projects, including USAID’s $21 million funding for voter turnout in India which led BJP leaders pointing to the announcement as further proof that such funds were indeed allocated. The ruling party has accused Congress of leveraging external forces in Indian politics, urging the opposition to come clean on its alleged involvement.  

Trump in a speech in Miami said, “Why do we need to spend $21m for voter turnout in India? Wow, $21m! I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected.” 

MEA Flags Concerns Over Trump’s Disclosure  

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed serious concerns over the revelations made by the Trump administration regarding USAID’s funding activities. In an official statement, the ministry said it had taken note of the disclosures and was examining the matter closely.  

“We have seen the information disclosed by the US administration regarding some USAID activities and funding. These developments are deeply troubling and raise concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. The relevant departments are looking into the matter,” the MEA statement read.  

The controversy gained momentum after Trump first made the claim earlier this week. BJP leaders have accused the Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of remaining silent on a serious issue that could have implications on India’s electoral integrity.