Staff Reporter:
US President Donald Trump has said the $29 million of US funds granted to Bangladesh for strengthening the political landscape went to a firm that nobody ever heard of.
“Got 29 million. They got a check. Can you imagine? You have a little firm, you get 10,000 here, 10,000 there, and then we get 29 million from the United States government. There are two people working in that firm,” he said while addressing the Governors Working Session at the White House in Washington, DC on Friday.
“Two people. I think they’re very happy, they’re very rich. They’ll be on the cover of a very good business magazine pretty soon for being great,” he added.
During his speech, Trump also said, “$21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter Turnout. We’re giving 21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too.”
On 16 February, the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) posted on X mentioning some of the US-funded overseas projects that had been cancelled.
According to the DOGE, “US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled.”
The list included a $29 million project for “strengthening political landscape in Bangladesh”, $21 million for voter turnout in India, and $20 million for “fiscal federalism” and $19 million for “biodiversity conversation” in Nepal.
