President Trump mocked Lesotho in a Congressional address, dismissing it as an obscure nation while defending proposed cuts to foreign aid. He claimed $8 million was allocated for LGBTQI+ initiatives there, but no such funding exists. Instead, significant aid focuses on health programs, especially HIV/AIDS. Trump’s budget cuts aim to reduce government spending amid efforts to combat inflation, prioritizing efficiency in allocations.
In a recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump derided Lesotho, referring to it as an “African nation which nobody has ever heard of.” This comment was made while discussing the allocation of U.S. funds, specifically decrying the $8 million proposed for LGBTQI+ initiatives in the country, which he mispronounced, igniting laughter among Republican legislators present, including Vice-President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson.
During his speech, which lasted 99 minutes, Trump emphasized his intention to reduce what he termed a “flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars” as part of his administration’s strategy to decrease federal spending. Despite his remarks about Lesotho, there is no specific mention on the U.S. government’s foreign assistance website of funding for LGBTQ+ rights in that nation. Instead, substantial aid totaling approximately $120 million has been allocated for health and population programs in Lesotho for 2024, notably including $43.5 million targeting HIV/AIDS.
One prominent initiative, Karabo ea Bophelo, has been granted $7.7 million under a five-year USAID program, which aims to prevent new HIV infections and support vulnerable groups, particularly children and young women. Lesotho has also made progress regarding LGBTQ+ rights, having decriminalized same-sex relationships in 2012.
In his address, Trump introduced the new department of government efficiency, overseen by billionaire Elon Musk, which is focused on eliminating excessive spending. He provided a list of proposed budget cuts, including $22 billion for housing and vehicles for illegal immigrants, $60 million for Afro-Colombian initiatives, and $8 million for unusual projects, such as “making mice transgender.” Trump’s foreign aid reductions align with his administration’s goal to address inflation by minimizing government expenditure, despite the U.S. being the largest global donor of foreign aid, having spent over $47 billion in 2019.
Historically, U.S. aid has significantly benefited countries in Africa, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, with 32% of all U.S. foreign aid directed towards the continent. However, there is a continuing shift within the Trump administration towards prioritizing cuts to social programs both domestically and internationally, favoring what the President characterizes as more efficient spending. Trump concludes his defense of these cuts by asserting the need to eliminate waste in taxpayer dollars to address inflation and focus on domestic priorities.
In conclusion, President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding foreign aid to Lesotho highlight a contentious stance on international assistance, characterized by a push for budget cuts. Despite his jest about the nation’s recognition, the U.S. provides critical health support in Lesotho, particularly for HIV/AIDS programs. This approach reflects a broader strategy to streamline federal spending, which the administration believes will aid in combating inflation while redirecting funds to domestic needs.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
