The newly sworn-in Trump administration has frozen all U.S. foreign aid, including military assistance to Ukraine, with exceptions for Israel and Egypt. An 85-day review will determine the future of global U.S. assistance.
BY PC Bureau
rump Administration Freezes Foreign Aid, Exempting Israel and Egypt
In a sweeping order, the newly sworn-in Trump administration on Friday reportedly froze all U.S. foreign aid, including assistance to Ukraine, with exceptions only for Israel and Egypt.
According to an AFP report, the United States—the world’s largest donor—has not halted emergency food aid or military funding for Israel and Egypt.
An internal memo, cited in the report, reveals that Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed, “No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved.” The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, which prioritizes restricting overseas assistance.
The order is expected to impact a wide range of aid programs, from development assistance to military aid, including funding for Ukraine. Under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, Ukraine received billions of dollars in weapons to counter the Russian invasion.
Trump just signed an executive order halting all aid to Ukraine because he is Putin’s puppet.
Stop. Voting. For. Traitors. To. America. pic.twitter.com/EJxPDqXiAo
— Andrew—New YouTube Channel @LiveFromTheResistance (@AmoneyResists) January 24, 2025
Funding for Global Health Initiatives Also Paused
The directive also suspends U.S. funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for at least several months. PEPFAR, launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush, provides life-saving antiretroviral drugs to developing nations, primarily in Africa. The program is credited with saving approximately 26 million lives and has historically enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington.
Donald froze all foreign aid funding. Make no mistake. He did this to punish Ukraine. His *tough* talk to Putin is a lie. He’s still Vlad’s boy. https://t.co/iS9rUuqUKM
— Libby Spencer (@libbyspencer) January 25, 2025
Israel and Egypt Remain Exempt
The memo explicitly exempts military aid to Israel, which has seen increased U.S. arms packages since the Gaza war. Egypt, a major U.S. defense aid recipient since its 1979 peace treaty with Israel, is also spared from the freeze.
Additionally, Secretary Rubio made an exception for U.S. contributions to emergency food assistance, which the U.S. has provided in crisis zones such as Sudan and Syria. The memo permits case-by-case exceptions and allows temporary funding for salaries and administrative costs.
85-Day Review of Foreign Aid Programs
The memo mandates an internal review of all foreign aid within 85 days. Rubio wrote that the administration must assess whether existing commitments are effective, non-duplicative, and aligned with President Trump’s foreign policy.
ALSO READ: Trump warns Putin: Stop Ukraine war or face sanction
Although several European nations contribute more in foreign aid relative to their economies, the U.S. remains the largest donor in absolute terms. In 2023, the U.S. provided over $64 billion in overseas development assistance, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Records for 2024 were unavailable.
As of fiscal year 2022, the United States allocated significant foreign aid to various countries. Below is a summary of the top ten recipients:
| Country | Region | Foreign Aid (FY 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | Europe and Eurasia | $11.2 billion |
| Israel | Middle East and North Africa | $3.3 billion |
| Afghanistan | South and Central Asia | $1.9 billion |
| Ethiopia | Sub-Saharan Africa | $1.7 billion |
| Egypt | Middle East and North Africa | $1.4 billion |
| Yemen | Middle East and North Africa | $1.3 billion |
| Jordan | Middle East and North Africa | $1.1 billion |
| South Sudan | Sub-Saharan Africa | $976 million |
| Nigeria | Sub-Saharan Africa | $974 million |
| Syria | Middle East and North Africa | $842 million |
These figures encompass both economic and military assistance provided by the U.S. to support various programs and initiatives in these countrifies.
