Trump Administration Reportedly Plans to Spend $4M to Support Right-Wing Media Across Europe

Donald Trump's administration is reportedly preparing to spend $4 million (£2.9 million) supporting right-wing media in Europe, a move likely to deepen tensions with European governments already concerned about US interference in the region's politics.

The planned media funding is part of a wider package of at least $25 million (£18.4 million) for civil society groups working on conservative causes across Europe, according to Reuters, which cited four people familiar with the plans.

The State Department reportedly notified Congress on 21 August of its intent to allocate the money. Around $3 million is said to be intended for a programme documenting and analysing what the funding notice described as 'democratic backsliding' linked to migration, media and policies from supranational institutions.

Another $1 million (£738,187) would help create a consortium of independent journalists covering issues such as national sovereignty, natural rights and religious freedom. Reuters said it could not determine which organisations or journalists may receive the grants.

State Department Defends Grants

The funding is being handled through the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, or DRL. A State Department spokesperson told Reuters that DRL does not fund political parties and said the Trump administration remains committed to defending democracy and human rights around the world, including in Europe.

Officials have framed the grants as an effort to promote free speech and strengthen transatlantic ties, while stressing that DRL does not fund political parties. But the timing is politically sensitive. Several European countries are preparing for elections in the next two years, while Trump and his allies have openly aligned themselves with Europe's populist right and far-right movements.

European Capitals Already Alarmed

The reported plan risks worsening tensions with European governments already wary of Trump's political agenda on the continent. In July, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that France and Europe would not tolerate foreign interference in elections, 'regardless of where it comes from'.

The backlash followed earlier funding notices aimed at European groups working on themes such as migration, sovereignty, censorship and lawfare.

The Guardian previously reported that the State Department intended to allocate $12 million (£8.8 million) to UK organisations founded by prominent conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young.

Shift From Traditional Democracy Work

The Europe funding reflects a wider shift in US foreign assistance under Trump. The administration has scaled back traditional democracy and human rights programmes while increasingly championing selected causes, particularly those linked to right-wing politicians and what it views as the suppression of conservative voices online.

Around $10 million (£7.3 million) in Europe-related funding had already been made public through State Department notices in July and August. The latest notification reportedly adds at least $15 million (£11 million) more, bringing the total Europe-related grant package to a minimum of $25 million (£18.4 million).

Part of Bigger Funding Package

The Europe grants form part of a much larger State Department proposal worth nearly $180 million. That package reportedly includes traditional programmes focused on authoritarian governments such as China and North Korea, but also grants tied to South African minority communities and opposition to 'judicial overreach and censorship' in Brazil.

The funding is expected to be finalised by the end of September, according to people familiar with the process.