They’ve lot of money: Trump on $21 million fund cut for voter turnout in India

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) decision to cancel a USD 21 million fund designated for voter turnout in India, questioning the need for such financial support given India’s economic growth and high tariffs.

“Why are we giving USD 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. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving USD 21 million for voter turnout?” Trump said after signing executive orders at Mar-a-Lago.

The decision follows an announcement made by DOGE on February 16, led by Elon Musk, stating that USD 22 million in US taxpayer-funded spending had been cancelled, including the allocation for voter turnout in India.

In a post on X, DOGE outlined the funds that had been revoked, listing “USD 21M for voter turnout in India” among them. The department emphasised that all cancelled expenditures were part of a broader effort to cut unnecessary spending.