Trump Mocks Lesotho While Slashing U.S. Aid, Says “its a country nobody has ever heard of”
In a recent address to Congress, U.S. President Donald Trump mocked Lesotho as a country “nobody has ever heard of” while defending his administration’s substantial cuts to foreign aid. Highlighting past U.S. aid projects, Trump specifically mentioned, “Eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho,” struggling with the pronunciation and adding, “Which nobody has ever heard of,” prompting laughter from Republican lawmakers.
Lesotho, a landlocked constitutional monarchy in Southern Africa, has been a significant recipient of U.S. aid, particularly in combating HIV/AIDS. The nation has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates globally, with U.S. assistance providing medication and social support, especially for marginalized groups facing stigma. Since 2006, the United States has committed over $630 million to anti-HIV/AIDS efforts in Lesotho. Additionally, a $300 million agreement was signed last year to enhance health and agricultural productivity through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which funds countries demonstrating democratic principles and good governance.
Upon returning to office, the Trump administration has enacted sweeping reductions in foreign assistance, cutting over 90% of U.S. aid programs. This policy shift has led to the effective shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), reallocating funds towards domestic initiatives such as tax cuts. The cessation of aid has had immediate and severe impacts on countries like Lesotho. Approximately 1,500 health workers, including doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and counselors involved in U.S.-funded programs, have been directly affected by the suspension of USAID and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This disruption threatens the continuity of critical healthcare services in a country heavily reliant on American support for its health sector.
The broader implications of these aid cuts are profound. The United Nations has issued an emergency appeal for $11.2 million to help Uganda address an Ebola outbreak, a situation exacerbated by the withdrawal of U.S. support that previously bolstered Uganda’s health system. In South Africa, projections suggest that the termination of U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS projects could result in over 500,000 deaths in the next decade, as numerous programs aiding vulnerable populations are forced to shut down.
Critics argue that these aid reductions could destabilize regions, hinder disease control efforts, and diminish U.S. influence globally. The dismantling of USAID, a key agency in providing critical assistance worldwide, raises concerns about the long-term consequences for global health and development.
In summary, President Trump’s recent remarks about Lesotho underscore a broader policy shift in U.S. foreign aid, with significant ramifications for global health initiatives, particularly in African nations heavily dependent on such support.
