A shocking revelation has surfaced, linking U.S. foreign aid to alleged regime change operations in Bangladesh. At the center of this growing controversy is $21 million in American taxpayer funds, originally believed to be allocated for “voter turnout in India,” but secretly redirected to political activities in Bangladesh. The funding, managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was abruptly canceled by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as part of a sweeping cost-cutting campaign.
New reports reveal that the funds were allocated in 2022, with $13.4 million already disbursed to support “political and civic engagement” programs targeting young Bangladeshi voters ahead of the country’s January 2024 elections. The situation escalated when mass student-led protests erupted, ultimately leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, following violent clashes that claimed hundreds of lives.
Earlier this month, DOGE released a list of defunded international aid programs, including the now-infamous $21 million meant for India, $29 million intended to “strengthen the political landscape” in Bangladesh, and $20 million for fiscal reforms in Nepal. The full list of beneficiaries remains undisclosed, fueling speculation about hidden agendas behind these grants.
In India, the revelations ignited outrage, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the U.S. of “external interference” in the country’s democratic process. The Indian foreign ministry has launched an investigation, describing the findings as “deeply troubling.”
U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in on the controversy, questioning why American taxpayers were funding foreign elections. “Why do we need to spend $21 million for voter turnout in India? Wow, $21 million! I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected,” Trump said during a Miami rally. He reiterated his concerns at a Republican Governors Association meeting, suggesting the funding might have been used for “kickbacks.”
The Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), which was set to receive $486 million from USAID, is under scrutiny for its involvement. The controversial $21 million was split into six sub-grants between three organizations: the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
According to leaked documents obtained by GreyZone, the IRI—closely tied to the U.S. Republican Party—played a pivotal role in orchestrating opposition networks in Bangladesh, particularly among urban youth, with the alleged aim of regime change. These allegations gained traction after reports suggested USAID’s activities were designed to destabilize Bangladesh’s political environment. However, The Dhaka Tribune later dismissed these claims, arguing that the documents were “doctored.”
The controversy deepened following accusations from former U.S. State Department official Mike Benz, who alleged during an interview with Tucker Carlson that USAID’s funding was motivated by Sheikh Hasina’s refusal to permit a U.S. military base in Bangladesh. Hasina herself accused Washington of attempting to remove her from power over this decision—a charge the U.S. State Department firmly denies, calling the claims “laughable” and “absolutely false.”
