Lesotho: LGBTQI+ Group Denies Trump’s $8 Million Funding Claim

The largest LGBTQI+ group in Lesotho has responded with bemusement to President Donald Trump’s mocking claim that the United States gave the country $8 million to support LGBTQI+ rights.

Speaking last week during his first address to Congress since taking office in January, Trump used the African kingdom as an example of what he called “appalling waste” to justify his widespread and devastating cuts to US foreign aid.

He told Congress: “Eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho,” adding, “which nobody has ever heard of.”

His comment was met with laughter from members of Congress and chuckles from Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson, who were seated behind him.

Lesotho’s Leading LGBTQI+ Organisation Responds

The People’s Matrix Association, the leading LGBTQI+ rights organisation in Lesotho, initially issued a discreet response via a media statement acknowledging Trump’s comments.

It clarified that “all US Government assistance to Lesotho is administered through the US Embassy” and directed all media inquiries regarding the specifics of this funding to the embassy.

The organisation also took the opportunity to “appreciate the longstanding support and partnership that the development community, including foreign embassies and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) in Lesotho, have provided to the LGBTQI+ community.”

However, speaking to AFP, People’s Matrix spokesperson Tampose Mothopeng went on to dismiss Trump’s $8 million claim.

“We have no idea of the allocation of eight million dollars. We do not know who received or is going to receive that money,” said Mothopeng.

“We do not have such monies or a contract that would even reach a quarter of half of that money,” he continued.

Debilitating Impact of US Funding Cuts

The US government’s foreign assistance website does not indicate any funding specifically allocated to supporting LGBTQI+ rights in Lesotho in 2024. Instead, US assistance to the country appears to have been primarily directed towards “health and population” initiatives, such as HIV programmes.

Lesotho has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, and the cancellation of US funding by the Trump administration is likely to have a debilitating impact on the country’s HIV response.

The government of Lesotho did not take kindly to the nation being dismissed as one that “nobody has ever heard of.” Lesotho’s Foreign Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, told Reuters that he was “really shocked that my country can be referred to like that by the head of state.”

LGBTQI+ Rights in Lesotho

Lesotho decriminalised homosexuality in 2012 and, in 2024, banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment. However, same-sex relationships have no legal recognition, and LGBTQI+ people continue to face societal rejection and discrimination.

In 2024, the country hosted a vibrant Pride event in the capital Maseru, celebrating LGBTQI+ identity while also acknowledging the challenges still faced by the community.