US Embassy London Offers $500,000 Grants as UK Critics Accuse Trump of Meddling

1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 8

$500,000 grants from the US embassy in London are being offered for “public education” and civic-engagement projects under a scheme called “Liberty Under Law,” prompting accusations of interference in British politics.
The notice gives priority to programs promoting “freedom of speech,” “limited government” and other “shared civilizational values,” with applicants asked to show measurable impact on public discourse, media coverage and civic engagement.
Lisa Smart of the Liberal Democrats said Britain did not need “Trump’s Maga money meddling in our democracy,” while current and former US state department officials said the language unusually seeks to generate UK-based narratives aligned with America First politics.
A separate embassy grant call also asks applicants to help build UK support for US policy goals including backing Israel and countering China, reinforcing concerns that the programs aim to persuade Britons to support Washington’s agenda rather than simply explain it.
The initiative follows sharp criticism of UK authorities by senior Trump officials and comes alongside reported plans for $12 million in other State Department funding for UK organizations founded by Conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young.