Donald Trump calls US funding to improve voter turnout in India 'kickback scheme'

Speaking at an event in Washington, Trump on Thursday said, "21 million dollars for a voter turnout in India, why are we caring about Indian turnout, we got enough problems. We want our own turnout, don’t we? Can you imagine all that money going to India, I wonder what they think when they get it."

"Now it’s a kickback scheme, they get it, they spend it, they kick it back to the people that sent it. And I would say in many of these cases, anytime you have no idea what we’re talking about, that means there’s a kickback, because nobody has any idea what’s going on," he added.

In its announcement, DOGE stated the $21 million was part of a larger $486 million budget allocated to the "Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening."

Another $29 million was slated for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh" - a country that witnessed political turmoil amid allegations of US 'deep state' involvement in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

'They were trying to get somebody else elected'

Trump has accused the Biden administration of meddling in Indian politics and trying to influence the country's election results with the now scrapped fund of $21 million.

Speaking at a summit in Miami on Wednesday, Trump said, "Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... This is a total breakthrough."