An Associated Press report detailing how transgender aid workers in Nepal turned to sex work after losing their jobs due to U.S. foreign aid cuts has ignited a wave of conservative criticism, with opponents contending the story underscores the necessity of defunding the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The AP report highlighted that in Nepal, where openly transgender individuals face limited legal employment opportunities due to cultural conservatism, approximately 100 LGBTQ aid workers became jobless following U.S. funding reductions. The report featured Rubi Lama, a former HIV outreach worker, who stated that USAID-funded programs previously supplied free condoms, lubricant, and HIV prevention medication, which are now unavailable.
"When USAID funding was there, condoms were free, lubricant was also distributed … for free," Lama said in the accompanying video. "But, now it is gone."
Conservatives reacted sharply to the report's framing, suggesting it raised questions about why American taxpayer money was funding such programs. U.S. Representative Brandon Gill of Texas wrote on X, "Our tax dollars no longer fund employment for transgender Nepalese sex workers. Thank you for reminding us why defunding USAID was long overdue."
Matt Walsh, a host for The Daily Wire, expressed a similar sentiment, mocking the report and questioning if the AP intended to evoke sympathy. Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway criticized the AP for presenting U.S. tax dollars flowing to a "trans Nepalese job protection program" as a positive use of public funds, labeling the outlet's reporting as "Democrat propaganda."
The backlash follows a broader review of foreign aid initiated by the Trump administration. Upon returning to office, then-President Trump ordered a 90-day pause on new foreign development assistance obligations and disbursements to assess program alignment with his foreign policy. USAID subsequently instructed partners to halt new funding obligations and issue stop-work orders or suspensions for existing awards, leading critics to claim significant disruptions, staff reductions, and cancellations of foreign assistance awards.
Republican activist Jack Posobiec also commented on the situation, sarcastically remarking on the impact of the funding cuts on the transgender community in Nepal.