US funding for European groups hits French election red line

A U.S. grant program designed to support organisations pursuing Trump administration priorities in Europe will exclude French groups amid concerns that funding them could be viewed as foreign interference ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election, two sources told Reuters.

The decision has been communicated to French officials, one source said, reflecting concerns in Washington that supporting MAGA-aligned organisations in France could jeopardise extensive economic ties between the two countries.

The State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, or DRL, offers grants of $1 million to $3 million to organisations working to strengthen democratic resilience, the rule of law, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and the defence of human rights in Europe. Eligible projects can also address national sovereignty, migration, censorship and lawfare challenges.

The program comes as the Trump administration has sought to support Europe’s far-right, accusing the continent’s centrist leaders of overseeing “civilizational erasure” and “the subversion of democratic processes.”

France, which is due to hold a presidential election next April-May, has become increasingly concerned about possible U.S. interference. Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is a major contender. The party has pledged constitutional changes to expand deportations, restrict birthright citizenship and give French nationals priority access to public services.

In July, shortly after DRL announced the funding, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot wrote on X: “France and the Europeans will not tolerate any attempt at foreign interference in their electoral processes, regardless of where it comes from.”

A French applicant who sought $1 million for anti-censorship and free-speech initiatives said they were recently told French organisations would be excluded because of foreign-interference concerns. U.S. officials were particularly concerned that such activities could conflict with a proposed French law tightening penalties for online disinformation and foreign interference, the source said. The bill is before the Senate.

The applicant may relocate to Brussels to qualify for future funding.

A State Department spokesperson said, “programs are still in active deliberation,” adding, “we do not comment on private diplomatic discussions.”

The decision has exposed divisions within Washington. Some senior MAGA-aligned State Department officials have advocated a tougher approach toward France over free speech and technology regulation, while other U.S. officials have raised concerns about repercussions for American companies operating there.

The United States was France’s largest foreign investor in 2024, with $107.9 billion invested in the French economy, while bilateral trade in goods and services totalled $160.9 billion, according to U.S. government data.

Despite those economic ties, relations are strained by disputes over tariffs, the war in Iran and European sovereignty. Washington has yet to accredit France’s next ambassador, while French officials have criticised U.S. human rights policies and expressed frustration with U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner.

They were also angered after DRL officials travelled to Paris last year to support Le Pen after a court barred her from holding office in a case she and her allies described as “lawfare” against conservatives.

By Tamilla Hasanova