Sun Feb 16 09:08:57 UTC 2025: ## Musk’s Department Axes Millions in Foreign Aid

**New York, February 16, 2025** – Elon Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced sweeping budget cuts, eliminating millions of dollars in foreign aid initiatives. The cuts, announced Saturday on X, include $21 million earmarked for voter turnout programs in India.

The decision comes just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, where he met with both President Donald Trump and Mr. Musk. While the SpaceX CEO and Mr. Modi reportedly discussed collaboration in various sectors, the timing of the DOGE’s announcement has raised eyebrows.

Among the numerous programs axed by the DOGE are grants to organizations focused on strengthening political processes in Moldova and Bangladesh, fiscal federalism in Nepal, biodiversity conservation in the Himalayas, and various initiatives in Cambodia, Mozambique, the Czech Republic, and Serbia. The total amount of cuts announced exceeds $200 million. The DOGE cited the need to curb wasteful spending and improve government efficiency as justification for the actions. No further details regarding the rationale behind the specific cuts were provided. The $486 million grant to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening” was entirely eliminated.

President Trump appointed Mr. Musk to head the DOGE last month.

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