Wed Feb 19 02:13:09 UTC 2025: ## Trump Cancels $21 Million in US Funding for Indian Voter Turnout
**Washington D.C.** – U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled a $21 million U.S. taxpayer-funded initiative aimed at boosting voter turnout in India. The decision, made following a recommendation from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was announced on Tuesday.
President Trump justified the cancellation by stating that India, with its robust economy and high taxation rates, does not require such financial assistance. While expressing respect for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he questioned the rationale behind funding voter turnout programs in a country he described as having significant financial resources. He highlighted India’s high tariffs as a barrier to U.S. trade.
The DOGE’s announcement on February 16th listed the cancellation of several U.S. funded initiatives, including the $21 million earmarked for India. BJP leader Amit Malviya reacted to the news on X, suggesting the funding constituted external interference in India’s electoral process.
The cancellation has sparked debate, with some questioning the motivations behind the funding and its potential impact on Indian elections.
First Piper 