rayvt: USAID was sending money to countries for odd things, " for production of a “DEI musical” ,
for a “transgender opera” in Colombia,
for sex changes and “LGBT activism” in Guatemala,
for a “transgender comic book” in Peru, ...

Since White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, it pays to take it with a grain of salt.

According to USA Spending, the State Department paid $70,000 in 2022 to Ceiliuradh Company Limited by Guarantee "to promote the U.S. and Irish shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility." The grant funded a 2022 music festival (not a musical) in 2022 at the U.S. Embassy in Ireland, according to Irish news site Gript. The event featured performances from Irish musicians.

The "transgender opera" in Colombia was actually a $25,000 grant awarded to Universidad De Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, as part of a public diplomacy program that aimed to "advance national interests, and enhance national security by informing and influencing foreign publics."

In 2024, USAID gave a $2 million grant to Asociación LAMBDA in Guatemala, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. The grant was "to deliver gender-affirming health care, advocate for improved quality and access to services, and provide economic empowerment opportunities."

The "transgender comic book" in Peru does not specifically mention a transgender character. The award actually came from the Fulbright Program in Peru with the goal to increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries. The award was to cover expenses to produce a tailored-made comic, featuring an LGBTQ+ hero to address social and mental health issues. Cost? $32,000.

The cost of the birthday military parade for Donald Trump? $92 million. The $2.127 million for soft diplomacy directed to Ireland, Columbia, Guatemala, and Peru would seem to provide a better ROI.