Musk’s department axes grant for Indian election manipulation

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under Elon Musk’s leadership, has annulled a $21 million taxpayer-funded grant – approved during former President Joe Biden’s administration – aimed at influencing “voter turnout in India.” 

DOGE pointed out in its announcement that the $21 million was part of a larger $486 million budget designated for the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening”, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Additionally, $29 million had been earmarked to “strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh,” a country that has faced political instability amid accusations of US ‘deep state’ involvement in the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

DOGE also disclosed that other taxpayer-funded initiatives were cut, including:

$47 million for “improving learning outcomes in Asia”

$40 million for a “gender equality and women empowerment hub” 

$32 million to the Prague Civil Society Centre

$22 million to foster an “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova. 

$20 million for “fiscal federalism” in Nepal

$19 million for “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal

$14 million for “social cohesion” in Mali 

$14 million for “improving public procurement” in Serbia

$10 million for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision” 

$9.7 million for UC Berkeley to develop “a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise-driven skills” 

$2.5 million for “inclusive democracies in Southern Africa” 

$2.3 million for “strengthening independent voices in Cambodia” 

$2 million to develop “sustainable recycling models” to “increase socio-economic cohesion among marginalised communities of Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egypt” 

$1.5 million for “voter confidence” in Liberia US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled: 

$10M for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision” 

$9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop “a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills” –

$2.3M for “strengthening… — Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025  

Mr. Musk's department explained that the extensive cancellations were part of efforts to enhance government efficiency and guarantee that taxpayer funds were not allocated to "questionable" political activities abroad.

By Naila Huseynova