Before it was shuttered, USAID routed funds to Soros-aligned causes, terrorists and drag queens

SUMMARY

Before being shut down, USAID, under the Trump administration's scrutiny, was criticized for funneling money to organizations aligned with George Soros, as well as some that were linked to terrorism and woke social causes. The agency's funding included grants to nonprofits like the East-West Management Institute, which had ties to Soros’ Open Society Foundations. These funds supported various programs, such as judicial reforms in Eastern Europe, that critics claimed pushed progressive political agendas. The administration also found that USAID funded projects like LGBT diversity initiatives and transgender-related programs, including a “transgender comic book” in Peru and a DEI musical in Ireland, which faced criticism for promoting left-wing values. Additionally, USAID grants were diverted to terrorist groups, including a case where over $9 million in humanitarian aid intended for Syrian refugees was funneled to Al-Qaeda affiliates. These mismanagement issues led to the shutdown.