President Donald Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), unleashing a sharp critique of the Biden administration’s foreign aid decisions. He targeted a $18-21 million USAID package to India for election support, slamming it as unnecessary for a “thriving democracy” and a misuse of American funds. Trump’s address, laced with praise for Elon Musk’s efforts to overhaul federal efficiency, energized a crowd primed for his second-term vision. The speech underscored a GOP drive to prioritize domestic spending, setting a combative tone for his administration’s global stance.

Trump’s CPAC remarks hinted at a broader foreign policy reset, straining ties with allies like India, which defended its electoral independence in response. His USAID attack fit his “America First” playbook, questioning aid to nations deemed self-sufficient, while his Musk nod spotlighted tech-driven governance—like the Department of Government Efficiency—gaining traction. Critics flagged inconsistencies, noting his silence on past aid to allies like Israel. For the CPAC faithful, though, it was a call to arms: aid as leverage, not charity. With 2026 midterms on the horizon, Trump’s rhetoric framed a divisive agenda, testing America’s role on the world stage as he balances bravado with policy.