Donald Trump Backs Elon Musk-Led DOGE On Scrapping $21 Million 'Voter Turnout' Fund To India: 'They Have A Lot Of Money'

2025-02-18 09:01:06

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Citing India's economic growth and 'high tariffs', the United States President Donald trump on Tuesday supported Department of government Efficiency (DOGE) decision to scrap the $21 million fund marked for 'Voter Turnout in India'.

Donald Trump supported Elon Musk's DOGE decision and said that India has "a lot more money" and is "one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of US".
The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) tweeted on X that $21 million from US taxpayer dollars was to be spent on voter turnout in India, but it has been cancelled. The DOGE tweet said $486 million was to be sent to the“Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,” including $21 million for voter turnout in India, Cnbctv18 reported.
"We can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving USD 21 million for voter turnout?" said Donald Trump while signing executive orders at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday (local time).

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Acknowledging his respect for India and its prime minister, Donald Trump mentioned that India 'has a lot of money' and "it is one of the highest taxing countries in the world."

US cancels $21 millon fund for India

Donald Trump's statement comes days after DOGE posted a list of cancelled US taxpayer-funded initiatives. The list shared on February 16, included the US funding of USD 21 million allocated for "voter turnout in India "

The DOGE, led by Elon Musk , announcement on cancelling USD 22 million in funding intended for "voter turnout in India" was made last Saturday.

"US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled," the Musk-led department announced.

Other funding cancelled by the US department included USD 10 million for“Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision.”

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