News Reporter: Fact Checker: A ‘scam’ USAID contract that supported a Trump program

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The truth behind the rhetoric.

By Glenn Kessler

Almost daily lately, President Donald Trump complains about what he claims is an egregious contract that the U.S. Agency for International Development gave to "a consultant" for work in Africa — $520 million for what he calls "environmental, social and governance."

Sometimes he might mention investments, but not always. And sometimes he riffs about the outrageous fee this consultant received, compared with the $25,000 or $50,000 in fees he would dole out to consultants when he was in business. Once, he described it as "an environmental study."

We've debunked many claims the White House has made about USAID funding, from condoms for Gaza (not true) to a transgender opera in Colombia (also not true). But this is an especially glaring error — the money was directed toward supporting a program launched in the first Trump presidency that was aimed at countering China in Africa.

To read the full fact check and learn the Pinocchio rating, please click the link below.

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"Chulo"

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Trump vs. Europe on aid to Ukraine

When French President Emmanuel Macron visited the White House this week, an exchange between Trump and Macron caught our attention.

Trump said: "Just so you understand, Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They get their money back."

Macron, speaking in English, interrupted: "Now, in fact to be frank, we paid. We paid 60 percent of the total efforts, and it was like the U.S. — loans, guarantee grants — and we provided real money, to be clear."

Trump looked skeptical. "If you believe that, it's okay with me," he remarked. "They get their money back, we don't."

We dug into the records and found that the European Union has provided more funding to Ukraine than the United States. About 35 percent in the form of loans with lengthy repayment periods. On the U.S. side, contrary to Trump's statement, about 15 percent of the funds are loans.

You can read the full report by clicking this link.

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About the cats: It's a Friday and sometimes our fact checks deal with heavy subjects. So we hope to bring a smile to your face. (This week's images are courtesy of a reader who sent GIFs of "my now departed and eternally AWESOME cat Chulo." Thank you!)

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