Former US President Donald Trump has questioned the decision to allocate $21 million for voter turnout in India. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago while signing executive orders, Trump argued that India has a strong economy and high tax rates, making US financial support unnecessary.

Trump expressed his views on the issue, saying,

“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world. I respect India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout?”

He pointed out that India’s high tariffs make it difficult for the US to access its market, further questioning the need for such funding.

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, recently decided to cancel the planned funding. On February 16, DOGE released a list of scrapped taxpayer-funded projects, including this $21 million allocation for India’s voter turnout.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), DOGE confirmed that several taxpayer-funded programs had been removed. The decision has sparked discussions on how US funds are used internationally and whether taxpayer money should support foreign elections.

Trump’s statement and DOGE’s decision have raised debates on whether the US should invest in election initiatives abroad.

Supporters argue that promoting democracy worldwide is important, while critics believe taxpayer money should be used for domestic needs.

What do you think? Should the US spend money on voter turnout initiatives in other countries? Share your thoughts in the comments!