New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has hinted at the former administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden, of election interference in India.
“Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they (Biden administration) were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government. This is a total breakthrough,” he said in this regard, while speaking at Saudi Arabia government-backed FII Priority Summit in Miami on Wednesday night.
Trump continues to defend the Elon Muk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE)—established under the Trump 2.0 administration— decision to slash $21 million grant for India for increasing “voter turnout” in the country’s election. He had made similar remarks at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday. He had questioned why India was getting the funds when the country’s economic position and trade policies did not warrant it.
“…I guess they were trying to get someone else elected. We have got to tell the Indian government… This is a total breakthrough…”
– US President Donald Trump on 21 million dollar funding for voter turnout in India.
Trump should seek refund from Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/Geg5ab4mW0
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) February 20, 2025
“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest-taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high,” he had said.
“I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout?” Trump had asked.
According to DOGE, the funding also included a $29 million programme to strengthen Bangladesh’s political landscape. Ever since Trump took charge in January, DOGE has cut $8.5 billion in federal spending, according to reports.