Key facts
- The Trump administration's State Department plans to grant $12 million to UK-based organizations.
- The intended recipients include groups founded by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young.
- 878, a think tank focused on culture and immigration, is slated to receive $7 million.
- Free Speech Union International, an offshoot of the Free Speech Union, is to receive $5 million.
- The Jobs Foundation is allocated $3 million for a program countering overregulation.
- Former U.S. officials have raised concerns about the funding process and potential misuse of taxpayer money.
The Trump administration's State Department is planning to award approximately $12 million in grants to several UK-based organizations founded by prominent conservatives, including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young. The intended funding, detailed in U.S. government documents reviewed by The Guardian, is part of a broader initiative to support European groups viewed favorably by the administration.
Specifically, $7 million is earmarked for 878, a newly incorporated think tank co-founded by Rees-Mogg and Dr. Radomir Tylecote, which focuses on cultural rediscovery and ending mass immigration. The State Department justifies this grant by citing 878's role in advancing fundamental freedoms. Another $5 million is set aside for Free Speech Union International, an offshoot of Toby Young's Free Speech Union, aimed at promoting free speech and countering digital overregulation.
Additionally, $3 million is allocated to the Jobs Foundation, a UK charity focused on business growth and poverty alleviation, for a program on countering overregulation. This funding is intended to support policies that create jobs and ensure Britain is a favorable place for businesses to flourish.
However, the planned grants have drawn criticism from former U.S. officials, who described the process as "outrageous and absurd" and a potential misuse of taxpayer money. They argue that the "sole source" nature of these grants, awarded without competitive bidding, circumvents normal procedures and legal justifications, suggesting an effort to funnel U.S. funds to conservative and MAGA-aligned causes.
A State Department spokesperson stated that the grants are undergoing a rigorous vetting process and are still under active deliberation, emphasizing that foreign assistance programming aligns with strategic priorities. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern about potential interference in German elections through such grants.