Washington: US President Donald Trump on Thursday demanded the return of $2 billion in federal funds granted to a climate organization linked to Democrat Stacey Abrams, alongside $8 million in government media subscriptions. Trump, on Truth Social, escalated his critique of former President Joe Biden administration’s spending.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump questioned the allocation of these funds, referring specifically to the Power Forward Communities group that received a seven-year Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant through the National Clean Investment Fund in August 2024. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin noted that the group had only received $100 in tax money in 2023, marking a dramatic increase in funding.
Trump expressed skepticism over the funding increase, writing, “Is Stacey Abrams going to give back the Two Billion Dollars they funneled into her ‘environmental fund’ just prior to my assuming office,” and further questioned, “She went from $100 in donations to $2,000,000,000 in just one day? Not bad!!! Get back the money.”
In addition to the environmental grant issue, Trump also raised concerns over the $8 million spent on media subscriptions, particularly questioning funds allegedly “given” to Politico by the Biden administration. He criticized the allocation, stating, “Owned by wealthy guys, this money should be taken back by DOGE, ASAP.”
Politico has denied receiving any government subsidies. CEO Goli Sheikholeslami clarified, “Not one dime, ever, in 18 years.” According to media reports, the $8 million represented the total cost of federal government subscriptions to the news organization’s services, rather than a direct fund.
The US State Department has responded by instructing its embassies and consulates globally to pause all media subscriptions deemed “non-mission critical” as of February.