Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has requested detailed information from Elon Musk, head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), regarding American grants allocated to Slovak NGOs and media outlets through Washington’s primary agency for funding political projects abroad.
Fico’s request follows President Donald Trump’s suspension of all foreign aid pending a review of its alignment with U.S. national interests. Trump later stated that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was riddled with almost unprecedented corruption and should be shut down.
In his letter to DOGE chief Musk, who previously branded USAID a “criminal organization,” Fico expressed concerns over what he described as gross interference in Slovakia’s political landscape. He wrote on X that it is undeniable that funds originating from USAID were also used for political purposes in Slovakia to distort the political system and favor specific political parties.
Fico urged Musk to disclose which NGOs, media outlets, and individual journalists had received U.S. funding. He noted that incomplete public sources indicate that USAID supported these entities with subsidies totaling several million USD over a relatively short period.
Robert Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist, has been vocal about his concerns regarding foreign interference in Slovakia’s domestic politics. His request for transparency comes at a time when the U.S.’s role in global aid and political influence is under scrutiny.
The DOGE and USAID have not yet responded to Fico’s request. However, this development highlights the growing tension between Slovakia and the U.S. over allegations of American meddling in Slovak politics through funding channels. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how both parties navigate these complex diplomatic waters.