In the midst of President Donald Trump’s bold, incendiary actions against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), new revelations have emerged about his wife, Melania Trump, and daughter, Ivanka Trump’s deep involvement with the agency during his first term. Despite Trump’s public criticism of USAID, Melania and Ivanka were both recipients of its funding, which supported their pet projects. These ties show a far more complex relationship than it initially appears and reveal the extent to which the Trump family benefited from the very system they now vow to dismantle.
Trump’s War on USAID
Trump’s rhetoric surrounding USAID has been blunt and relentless. Describing it as “corrupt” and wasteful, the president has declared his intent to take down the agency. His administration is committed to eliminating or reshaping USAID, which he claims has misused taxpayer dollars. But his family’s close association with the agency suggests a more complicated narrative.
Melania Trump’s Be Best Initiative & USAID Funding
One of the most prominent examples of this entanglement is Melania Trump’s Be Best initiative, which USAID directly supported during her time as First Lady. The agency played a crucial role in Melania’s project, which aimed to promote the well-being of children worldwide.
In 2018, Melania made a high-profile trip to Africa, where she partnered with USAID to highlight the agency’s efforts in countries like Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt. During her visit, she promoted USAID’s national reading program, donating 1.4 million textbooks to over 5,600 primary schools in Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries. Her visit was strategically timed to align with USAID’s mission, allowing both to bolster their image while supporting developmental programs abroad.
Ivanka Trump’s Women’s Global Development Initiative
Ivanka Trump, too, had close ties to USAID through her Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, which aimed to support women entrepreneurs worldwide.
In 2019, Ivanka travelled to Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast with USAID’s then-administrator Mark Green to highlight their women’s entrepreneurship program. USAID allocated a substantial $265 million per year to support Ivanka’s initiative. This funding helped 12 million women across the globe, from small business owners to rural farmers.
Ivanka’s Role in USAID’s Budget
Despite Trump’s initial cuts to USAID’s funding, the agency still found ways to support Ivanka’s ventures. For instance, Ivanka used over $11,000 from USAID to buy video recording equipment for a White House event promoting her program in 2019. This investment is just one example of how USAID supported her global entrepreneurship efforts.
The Trump Family’s Strategic Use of USAID
It’s impossible to ignore the strategic relationship between the Trump family and USAID. Melania’s Be Best initiative and Ivanka’s W-GDP program were both supported by taxpayer money funneled through the agency. USAID’s efforts weren’t just limited to financial support; the agency also helped organise events and provide logistical backing for the Trump women’s global engagements. Both Ivanka and Melania leveraged USAID’s resources to further their own political and personal ambitions.
USAID’s Role in Promoting Trump Family Ventures
USAID’s role in the promotion of the Trump family’s personal and political projects raises a significant question: Was USAID being used as a tool for the personal benefit of the Trump family? Despite the public disdain Trump expressed toward the agency in his first term, his wife and daughter appeared to be recipients of substantial support from the very agency he criticized.
This symbiotic relationship between USAID and the Trump family underscores how Trump’s rhetoric and policy decisions often don’t align with the underlying reality of his administration’s operations.
Trump’s Takeover of USAID
Trump has vowed to eliminate USAID, declaring it a “radical” and “lunatic-run” agency. His administration’s agenda for reform includes placing Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting head of USAID. Several USAID contractors were placed on unpaid leave, while others were fired as part of the president’s effort to dismantle the agency. Musk, a key ally of Trump’s, is leading the effort via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The Trump Administration’s Scorched-Earth Approach
Trump has never been shy about his aggressive approach to politics. As his administration continues its efforts to reshape the government, USAID has become a target for drastic reforms. The latest initiative includes merging USAID with the State Department, effectively killing the independent agency.
As Trump continues his scorched-earth campaign, which includes slashing funding for foreign aid and overhauling the entire bureaucracy, the ultimate goal is clear: Trump aims to take down what he perceives as a “deep state” operating within the U.S. government, including key players at USAID.
The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Anti-Government Agenda
At the heart of Trump’s aggressive push to undermine federal agencies is his desire to shrink the government and ensure that only loyalists occupy key positions. His administration’s cuts to USAID, coupled with the controversial buyout programs that targeted federal employees, have wreaked havoc on the federal workforce.
USAID is just one part of Trump’s larger strategy to reduce government size and impose his vision of governance on federal agencies. These sweeping changes have caused significant disruption across the government, particularly in agencies associated with foreign aid, development, and humanitarian programs.
What’s Next for USAID and the Trump Family’s Legacy?
As the Trump administration continues to take steps toward dismantling USAID, it is clear that Trump’s family will remain a prominent figure in the conversation surrounding the agency’s future. The Be Best initiative and W-GDP program may not survive under the new administration, but the legacy of USAID’s support for Trump’s personal projects will continue to resonate.
As the court cases unfold and Trump’s policies face more legal challenges, the question remains: Will USAID survive in its current form, or will it become another casualty in Trump’s war on the so-called deep state?
Conclusion
While President Trump’s disdain for USAID’s spending is well-documented, the fact remains that both Melania and Ivanka Trump have benefited from the agency’s resources. Whether it’s through funding their pet initiatives or providing logistical support for their travels, USAID has played an indispensable role in promoting the Trump family’s personal and political projects. As the agency faces its existential crisis, Trump’s scorched-earth approach will likely lead to legal challenges, but it’s clear that USAID’s fate is tied to the Trump family’s legacy.
Relevant links for further reading:
- USAID
- Be Best Initiative
- Ivanka Trump’s Women’s Global Development Initiative
- Trump Administration Cuts to USAID
Photo credit: Daily Mail
