US President Donald Trump took aim at foreign aid spending during his address to Congress on Tuesday, criticising the $8 million allocated to Lesotho for LGBTQ+ rights promotion.
He dismissed the African nation and said, “Nobody has ever heard of it,” as he slammed what he called unnecessary US-funded initiatives abroad.
The Lesotho government strongly condemned his remarks. Foreign minister Lejone Mpotjoane told that the government was “shocked and embarrassed” by the statement, adding, “We did not expect a head of state to refer to another sovereign nation in such a manner.”
He confirmed that Lesotho would officially protest the remarks by sending a letter to Washington.
The US maintains an embassy in Maseru, Lesotho’s capital, and American volunteers serve in the Peace Corps programme within the country.
Adding to the controversy, Lesotho’s leading LGBTQ+ rights organisation, People’s Matrix, denied receiving any US funding. “We are literally not receiving grants from the US,” said spokesperson Tampose Mothopeng. “We have no idea where this $8 million claim is coming from.”
The backlash also extended to social media, where journalist and activist Kananelo Boloetse responded sarcastically to Trump’s remarks. “Lesotho is the only country in the world entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation—higher than your approval ratings ever got,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We’re here, we’re proud, and we’re not your punchline,” he added.
Key facts about Lothoso
- Lesotho is surrounded by South
Africa . It is known as the “Kingdom in the Sky” and is the only independent country entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) in elevation. - It is a constitutional monarchy, meaning it has a royal family, but an elected prime minister runs the country.
- Lesotho’s land is mostly unsuitable for farming, leading to frequent food shortages. Many citizens work in South Africa to support their families.
- Its biggest natural resource is water, called “white gold,” which is exported to South Africa.
- Lesotho’s factories have produced denim for brands like Levi’s and Wrangler, earning it the title “Denim Capital of Africa.”
- Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso is a close friend of the UK’s Prince Harry. Together, they co-founded Sentebale, a charity that supports young people affected by HIV/AIDS.
