Trump Slashed Once-Bipartisan Foreign Aid Programs

Former president's move to cut foreign aid funding faced partisan opposition.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office or political building, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows covering much of the scene, conveying a sense of solitude and detachment from the outside world.Trump's partisan push to slash foreign aid funding marked a significant break from the traditionally bipartisan nature of U.S. global assistance programs.NYC Today

Former President Trump successfully pushed Congress to cancel billions in foreign aid spending last year, a move that faced strong partisan opposition and represented a shift away from the traditionally bipartisan nature of U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Why it matters

Trump's actions to scale back foreign aid marked a significant departure from decades of bipartisan support for using U.S. resources to address global challenges and promote American interests abroad. The partisan nature of the cuts raised concerns about the long-term stability and reliability of U.S. foreign aid commitments.

The details

Trump first won approval from the Republican-controlled Congress to cancel the foreign aid spending, then later took unilateral action to claw back the funds without giving lawmakers time to review the decision. This represented a break from the typical bipartisan approach to foreign assistance that had existed for generations.

  • In 2025, Trump pushed Congress to cancel billions in foreign aid funding.
  • Later in 2025, Trump took unilateral action to claw back the foreign aid funds without congressional review.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who sought to scale back U.S. foreign aid programs during his time in office.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Trump's partisan approach to foreign aid cuts represented a shift away from the traditionally bipartisan nature of U.S. global assistance programs, raising concerns about the long-term reliability and stability of American commitments overseas.