Donald Trump has ignited a fresh wave of controversy, this time by mocking Lesotho while justifying his administration’s decision to slash foreign aid.
During a speech in Congress on Tuesday, Trump defended his drastic cuts to international assistance, singling out various programs he deemed unnecessary.
Among them, he ridiculed an $8 million funding initiative aimed at LGBTQI+ programs in Lesotho, a small nation in Southern Africa.
“Which nobody has ever heard of,” Trump remarked, struggling to pronounce the country’s name, prompting laughter from Republican lawmakers, including Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson.
Lesotho, a landlocked country of around 2.3 million people, has long relied on foreign aid, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The country has one of the highest HIV infection rates globally, and US-funded initiatives have been vital in providing medical support, medication, and awareness programs.
Since 2006, the US has invested over $630 million in HIV/AIDS efforts in Lesotho, and a $300 million deal was signed in 2023 to further support health and agriculture projects through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
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However, under Trump’s administration, there has been a significant reduction in US foreign assistance. The president has slashed over 90 percent of aid programs, asserting that they do not serve US interests.
This decision marks a sharp shift from past policies, particularly in Africa, where the US had long played an influential role in health and development.
Trump’s approach, which heavily influences his second term, has also seen the diminishing role of agencies like USAID.
One of the key figures guiding this policy change has been Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire who has encouraged the Trump administration to prioritise tax cuts over foreign aid.
Critics argue that these cuts, especially in countries like Lesotho facing severe public health crises, could undo years of progress in combating HIV/AIDS and hurt diplomatic relationships with African nations.
As Lesotho faces an escalating health emergency, experts warn that the loss of vital US support could derail the nation’s efforts to curb HIV transmission and improve healthcare systems.
Despite defending his “America First” agenda, critics contend that these drastic cuts weaken global health initiatives and damage the US’s standing on the world stage.
