Government Subscriptions or Media Funding? The USAID-Politico Debate

Thomas Edwards | 7th February 2025 | Uncategorised

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Allegations that Politico received significant financial support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have gained momentum in recent days, drawing strong reactions from President Donald Trump and conservative media figures.

Less than 48 hours after the claim surfaced online, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling it the “BIGGEST SCANDAL OF THEM ALL.” Later that day, during a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, he repeated his concerns, calling the situation a “terrible thing that was experienced” and suggesting that Politico “can’t believe they are getting caught.” Trump's Claims and White House Response During a series of early-morning social media posts on Thursday, Trump accused USAID of funnelling taxpayer money to Politico and other media outlets to secure favourable coverage. “LOOKS LIKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN STOLLEN AT USAID, AND OTHER AGENCIES, MUCH OF IT GOING TO THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA AS A ‘PAYOFF’ FOR CREATING GOOD STORIES ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS,” Trump wrote. “THE LEFT-WING ‘RAG,’ KNOWN AS ‘POLITICO,’ SEEMS TO HAVE RECEIVED $8,000,000. Did the New York Times receive money??? Who else did??? THIS COULD BE THE BIGGEST SCANDAL OF THEM ALL, PERHAPS THE BIGGEST IN HISTORY! THE DEMOCRATS CAN’T...

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