Trump administration redirects U.S. aid to European right-wing think tanks
After shuttering USAID, the Trump administration is channeling millions of taxpayer dollars to conservative groups in the UK and other European nations.
In early 2025 Donald Trump ordered USAID to be placed on indefinite leave, arguing the agency wasted U.S. tax dollars on overseas projects. Shortly thereafter, the State Department revealed a $12 million grant programme for conservative organisations in the United Kingdom, with $7 million earmarked for 878, a think tank co-founded by former minister Jacob Rees-Mogg. Additional calls for proposals seek to boost “civilizational self-confidence” in Europe on topics like national sovereignty and law-fare.
Researchers note that the funding calls were preceded by extensive networking among Trump-aligned European actors. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned against interference in German elections, and Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart accused the grants of meddling in UK democracy. Despite the publicity, the typical Trump voter appears unaware of these overseas expenditures, which critics argue divert attention from domestic cost-of-living concerns.
Why it matters
U.S. public funds are being used to influence foreign political landscapes, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
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