Backlash Over USAID Funding Cuts and Transgender Aid Workers in Nepal

An Associated Press post on social media described how transgender aid workers in Nepal turned to sex work after losing jobs due to U.S. foreign aid cuts. This sparked reactions, particularly among conservatives. Critics of the video argued it supported calls to defund the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) rather than preserve it.

The post highlighted that, in Nepal, a conservative culture limits legal job options for openly transgender people. Following U.S. funding cuts, around 100 LGBTQ aid workers reportedly resorted to sex work for survival. A video featured Rubi Lama, a former HIV outreach worker. Lama noted that USAID programs previously offered free condoms, lubricants, and HIV-prevention medication, including PrEP. She stated, “When USAID funding was there, condoms were free, lubricant was also distributed… for free. But, now it is gone.”

Conservative voices, including Rep. Brandon Gill from Texas, criticized the message. They argued the report highlighted why defunding USAID was necessary. Gill stated on X that U.S. tax dollars were no longer funding employment for transgender Nepalese sex workers, appreciating the reminder for defunding USAID.

Daily Wire host Matt Walsh also mocked the post stating, “Wow very grateful that my tax dollars are no longer funding a bunch of random trannies in Asia.”

The pushback comes in the context of President Donald Trump’s administration instituting a 90-day halt on new foreign aid obligations. This review was to ensure alignment with his foreign policy, leading to pauses in funding and stop-work orders, affecting existing awards.

Critics state these actions caused significant disruptions and cancellations of foreign-assistance awards. However, voices like Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway suggested the AP’s narrative misrepresented priorities, arguing funding for a “trans Nepalese job protection program” was not a prudent use of U.S. tax dollars.

USAID’s Washington office image and additional conservative criticisms further fueled the debate. Republican activist Jack Posobiec sarcastically commented on X about funds being cut from the Nepalese transgender sex worker community.

Alec Schemmel, a Politics Reporter for Fox News Digital, authored these accounts, originally hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, and currently based in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore area.