The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to allocate $4 million to strengthen right-wing media in Europe as part of a broader funding package worth at least $25 million for civil society organizations promoting conservative causes across the region, Reuters reported, citing four unidentified sources.
The proposed grants could further deepen tensions between the Trump administration and European governments, some of which have already accused Washington of interfering in their domestic political affairs.
According to the sources, the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) notified the U.S. Congress on August 21 of its intention to distribute the funding. The money is being allocated as several European countries prepare for elections in the coming years and the Trump administration openly supports populist and right-wing political movements in Europe.
Under the proposed funding plan:
- $3 million would be allocated to a program aimed at “documenting and analyzing democratic decline in Europe” in connection with mass and illegal migration, the independent media landscape and the legislative agendas of supranational institutions.
- Another $1 million would be used to establish a consortium of independent journalists covering issues including national sovereignty, natural rights and religious freedom.
Reuters reported that it remains unclear which organizations or journalists would ultimately receive the grants.
A State Department spokesperson said the DRL does not fund political parties and that the Trump administration remains committed to defending democracy and human rights around the world.
The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The proposed funding for Europe is part of a broader State Department package worth nearly $180 million. Other proposed programs include documenting alleged abuses of minority rights in South Africa, supporting civil society groups opposing what Washington describes as “judicial overreach and censorship” in Brazil, and continuing more traditional democracy-promotion programs in countries such as China and North Korea.
The plans have already prompted strong reactions from some European officials.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot previously said that France and other European countries would not tolerate foreign interference in their electoral processes, regardless of where it originated.
The approval and allocation process for the proposed grants is expected to be finalized by the end of September.
