In a controversial statement during a speech to Congress, US President Donald Trump mocked Lesotho, referring to it as a country “nobody has ever heard of.” The remark was made as Trump defended his administration’s drastic cuts to foreign aid, citing the $8 million allocated to promoting LGBTQI+ rights in Lesotho. His comment was met with laughter from Republican lawmakers, while Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson smiled behind him.
Lesotho, a landlocked African nation with one of the world’s highest HIV/AIDS rates, has benefited from US assistance, particularly in HIV/AIDS support. The US has committed over $630 million to the country’s anti-HIV/AIDS efforts since 2006, and last year signed a $300 million deal to enhance health and crop production through the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Trump, who has canceled over 90% of US foreign aid since returning to office, has faced criticism for his lack of engagement with Africa. His administration has been accused of focusing more on domestic issues, with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) being effectively shut down under the guidance of entrepreneur Elon Musk.
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