President Trump mocked Lesotho in a recent Congressional address, questioning the funding for LGBTQI+ programs in the country. His remarks, which were met with laughter from Republican legislators, coincide with his administration’s efforts to cut perceived waste in federal spending, particularly on foreign aid. Despite the criticism, significant US assistance focuses on health programs in Lesotho.
In a recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump took a jab at Lesotho, referring to it as an “African nation which nobody has ever heard of.” His comments were made while discussing budgetary allocations, specifically questioning the $8 million intended for LGBTQI+ initiatives in Lesotho. Trump’s remarks elicited laughter from Republican congress members, revealing a sense of amusement among his party comrades including Vice-President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson.
The speech marked Trump’s return to Congress and lasted 99 minutes, wherein he reiterated a commitment to reduce what he termed a “flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars.” This discussion is part of a broader initiative to trim federal spending. Notably, the US foreign assistance website does not indicate any financial backing specifically for LGBTQ+ rights in Lesotho, where approximately $120 million in aid was allocated for health and population programs, including addressing HIV/Aids.
Lesotho has made progress regarding LGBTQ+ rights, especially after decriminalizing same-sex relationships in 2012. Trump highlighted new governmental efforts to enhance efficiency, led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, with the goal of cutting unnecessary expenditures. In his proposed budget cuts, he labeled various programs as wasteful, aiming to free up resources to combat inflation.
As the largest global donor of foreign aid, the US had spent over $47 billion in 2019, with a significant portion directed towards African nations recovering from conflicts. Historically, countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania have received substantial amounts of aid from the US. Trump’s administration is currently prioritizing reductions in social program funding, both domestically and internationally, advocating for what he considers a more effective allocation of government resources.
In summary, President Trump criticized Lesotho during his Congressional address, highlighting perceived waste in foreign aid expenditures while calling for budget cuts to combat inflation. Despite his comments, the country’s aid focuses primarily on health initiatives, particularly HIV/Aids prevention. The Trump administration’s stance reflects a broader strategy of reducing federal spending on social programs, favoring allocations deemed more efficient.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
