A recently circulated internal memo among House Republicans emphasizes the effectiveness of former President Trump's approach to foreign aid, contrasting it with the Biden administration's spending on initiatives like a "transgender opera in Colombia." Obtained by Fox News Digital, the five-page document, distributed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-Fla.), provides recommended talking points for GOP members. These points highlight concerns about the substantial $40 billion annual foreign aid budget, alleging much of it doesn't reach intended recipients but instead supports a wasteful "NGO industrial complex." The memo advocates for Trump's strategy of freezing foreign aid, arguing it's necessary to properly evaluate programs and eliminate wasteful spending. It also underscores exceptions for essential aid like emergency food and life-saving medical supplies. The document further details specific instances of questionable foreign aid spending, including funds allocated to seminars on gender identity and racial equality, promoting climate and gender-friendly coffee companies in Indonesia, cash vouchers for migrants at the southern border, promoting atheism in Nepal, and an LGBTQ-centered comic book in Peru. This renewed focus on foreign aid spending comes as Trump and Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) have significantly scaled back the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), appointing Secretary of State Marco Rubio as its acting head. While some criticize these actions, arguing they weaken the U.S.'s global standing and endanger lives reliant on aid, supporters like Mast maintain the moves are essential for aligning foreign assistance with Trump's agenda. This debate also highlights existing divisions within the Republican party on the issue. A previous vote to defund USAID, spearheaded by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), failed to gain sufficient GOP support. While House Foreign Affairs Chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) acknowledged the importance of scrutinizing foreign aid, he also cautioned against sweeping cuts, emphasizing the need for targeted adjustments to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars.
A photo illustration of Elon Musk, Donald Trump and a USAID flag. (Getty Images)
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast is a top Trump ally. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images/File)
