Trump to use USAID to promote MAGA movement across Europe
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Trump administration is launching a major overhaul of US foreign aid to promote the MAGA ideology across Europe and beyond. The White House is preparing a series of grants to support projects aligned with Washington's new political priorities, according to Reuters and the Financial Times.
The Department of State has already sent lawmakers a formal notification outlining the new spending plans. The document includes $2 million to counter censorship in Europe. The United States plans to challenge provisions of the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Trump has repeatedly criticized both laws, arguing that they restrict free speech. The new funding will support groups that oppose Brussels' regulatory policies.
USAID paradox: From dismantling to using
At the beginning of his term, Trump sought to sharply reduce the influence of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), viewing it as part of the old bureaucratic system. But his strategy has since shifted, and he is now using the agency as a policy tool.
Instead of funding traditional humanitarian programs, the administration is directing money toward initiatives that promote the MAGA agenda. The move marks a fundamental overhaul of the US foreign aid system, built over decades.
MAGA movement
To understand which projects are likely to receive support, it's important to understand the core principles of the Make America Great Again movement.
They include:
- America First: Prioritizing US national interests over international agreements
- Anti-globalism: Skepticism toward the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and other supranational institutions
- Unrestricted free speech: Opposing content moderation and online regulation
- Economic protectionism: Supporting American companies and using tariffs to pressure competitors
- Traditional values: Funding programs aimed at strengthening national identity.
EU response to Trump's plan
The overhaul of US foreign aid has raised concerns among European leaders, who see it as an attempt to interfere in the EU's internal affairs. Funding movements that oppose Brussels could significantly increase tensions between NATO allies.
Washington, meanwhile, insists it has the right to support groups that share its views on free markets and freedom of information. Officials say the grant program is only the first step, with funding for similar initiatives expected to increase by the end of the year.
About Trump's latest initiatives
Earlier, the US president announced that he would impose additional tariffs on Canada. Trump has complained about smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting into the United States, despite Canada's long history of assisting the United States during its own major wildfire emergencies.
Trump has also unveiled an unusual plan to monetize his Truth Social platform. He wants to offer traders paid access to his posts before they become publicly available, giving subscribers ultra-fast access to market-moving statements.
