In a statement released on Thursday evening U.S. time, the administration of President Donald Trump announced the near-total elimination of aid and subsidy programs under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with control over these programs already transferred to the U.S. Department of State.
92 Percent of Contracts to Be Terminated
The statement declares that “as part of a review of USAID’s activities, conducted under the direct supervision of the U.S. Secretary of State, nearly 5,800 contracts worth $54 billion have been reviewed and designated for elimination under the America First agenda.” This represents 92 percent of all such contracts.
Furthermore, the statement notes that 28 percent of U.S. foreign subsidies, which were projected to amount to $4.4 billion, have also been slated for termination.
Media outlets recalled on Thursday that the freezing of USAID programs was one of Donald Trump’s first decisions after reassuming the presidency. They emphasized that this move significantly threatens the implementation of numerous investment programs in the region, which are crucial for local economies and the standard of living of their societies.
The decision, which had been anticipated for some time, has outraged and shocked left-wing circles worldwide. For many years, thousands of activists have relied comfortably on American financial support while advancing the political and social agenda of the progressive “international movement.”
Funding Left-Wing “Activists”
This phenomenon was also evident in Poland, particularly in recent years. In fact, activists themselves have openly admitted that the influx of American funds into Polish non-governmental organizations (especially those engaged in left-wing political and social activism) increased significantly under the rule of the United Right (Zjednoczona Prawica).
“American funds were highly present in Poland in the 1990s and early 2000s but later withdrew from Central Europe. The situation changed three or four years ago when USAID once again opened grant opportunities for this part of the continent. These funds were allocated to pro-democracy initiatives, media, the rule of law, and activities related to equality and human rights,”
recently admitted Dr Dominika Bychawska-Siniarska, a lawyer from the Prague Civil Society Center, who has been closely associated with Polish organizations funded through such grants.
Musk Shares “Gazeta Polska” Findings
Yesterday, a close associate of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, reshared a X post featuring findings from Gazeta Polska, which reported that USAID funds had been used to undermine the United Right government in Poland.
Mario Nawfal also commented on Gazeta Polska’s investigation into USAID’s financing of “foreign interference” via social media.
“A Gazeta Polska investigation reveals millions in U.S. taxpayer dollars under Biden were funneled into Polish groups working to undermine PiS and push left-wing policies. USAID grants allegedly funded activist groups, progressive media, and efforts to silence conservative outlets like TV Republika by pressuring advertisers,”
wrote Nawfal in a post that gained substantial reach after being amplified by Musk.