“Funding to promote LGBTQ in Lesotho a n African country nobody has even heard of.”
These were the words of Donald Trump when criticizing USAID for what he views as wasteful spending on foreign projects.
Cutting unnecessary expenses isn't inherently a bad idea. But what's problematic is Trump's condescending remark about Lesotho. As a former head of state, how do you not know basic world geography? Pick up a map.
His dismissal of this small African nation reflects a broader trend in his administration, which critics often label as far-right and isolationist. From day one, the Trump administration made its stance on global engagement clear and not in a good way. His executive order targeting South Africa was just the start of a broader pattern of hostility toward the African continent.
Now, Trump has turned his attention to Lesotho, a small, landlocked kingdom entirely surrounded by South Africa. With a population of around two million most living below the poverty line. Lesotho is one of the last remaining monarchies in Africa, alongside Eswatini. These countries preserve traditional governance and cultural heritage in a rapidly modernizing world.
USAID's contributions to Lesotho have gone far beyond LGBTQ-related programs. They've played a critical role in providing life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment and antiviral medication. Dismissing that impact reveals a deep lack of awareness.
For a former president to show such ignorance about global affairs is troubling. It speaks volumes about his priorities and those of his foreign policy team. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, seems equally ill-equipped for the role.
Comments like these erode confidence in the US's ability to lead on the world stage. If America wants to be taken seriously in global diplomacy, its leaders need to demonstrate understanding, not arrogance.