The United States has extended $29 million in financial assistance to Bangladesh for strengthening its political landscape, sparking discussions. On February 16, the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DGE) in the US announced that the aid, originally intended for Bangladesh through USAID, has been canceled. However, the exact recipients of this financial aid have not been disclosed.
In a statement on February 21, during an event with US governors, President Donald Trump addressed the $29 million aid to Bangladesh. He said, “A certain organization in Bangladesh received $29 million to strengthen the political landscape. This organization is unknown to most people. They received a check. Imagine having a small organization where you get $10,000 here, and $100,000 there. We, the United States government, gave them $29 million for Bangladesh. This organization has only two employees. I think they are very happy, and they are very wealthy. Soon, they might even have their picture in a big magazine as great individuals.”
Trump further questioned the nature of the political landscape in Bangladesh, stating, “This $29 million was given to strengthen the political landscape of Bangladesh. Does anyone even know what this political landscape is or what it means?”
Additionally, Trump claimed that the US had allocated $21 million to encourage voter participation in India. “Another $21 million is going to my friend, Prime Minister Modi, to bring voters to the polling stations in India. We are giving India $21 million for this. So, what will people say about us? I also want voter participation at the polls,” he remarked.
As of now, it remains unclear which organization in Bangladesh received the $29 million from the United States. However, Indian news outlet *Indian Express* reported on Thursday that India did not receive any funds from the US for elections. The publication stated that in 2022, Bangladesh was given $21 million under USAID’s “My Vote, My Voice” project and later under the “Citizen Project,” with the assistance first provided in July 2022.
