The Trump administration's State Department intends to allocate $12 million to organisations in the UK founded by prominent Conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young, according to US government documents reviewed by the Guardian. The grants are part of a package of support for European groups viewed favourably by the Trump administration, but some former US officials have criticised the funding as a misuse of public money to seek influence over foreign politics.
$7 Million for 878 Think Tank
The documents reveal $7 million is earmarked for 878, a think tank founded by Jacob Rees-Mogg, former minister of state for Brexit opportunities, and his former special adviser Dr Radomir Tylecote. The group describes itself as a leading British and American think tank devoted to the rediscovery of ancient culture and ending mass immigration. According to the document, the funding is justified by 878's unique role in the UK as a dedicated nonpartisan organisation focused on advancing fundamental freedoms. The group was incorporated in the UK in March 2025, and its website went live in early July 2025. Its name references King Alfred the Great's defeat of the Great Heathen Army in 878 AD.
$5 Million for Free Speech Union International
The State Department has also set aside $5 million for Free Speech Union International, an offshoot of the Free Speech Union (FSU) founded by Conservative life peer Toby Young. The grant cites the group's work promoting free speech and countering digital overregulation across the UK, Europe, and Australia. The FSU describes itself as a non-partisan, mass membership public interest body, but critics see it as a partisan rallying point for anti-woke grievance. Toby Young told the Guardian that Free Speech Union International had expressed interest in applying for grant funding but has not submitted a formal application or been awarded a grant.
Controversy Over Sole Source Grants
Both grants are classified as sole source, meaning they are awarded without competition. Five former US officials expressed dismay, with one calling the lack of procedure outrageous and absurd. Another said the sole source grants amount to horrible stewardship of US taxpayer money. The plans are detailed in a congressional notification documenting how the State Department intends to spend funds allocated to the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
Broader Context and Reactions
The disclosure presents an early transatlantic challenge to incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who said he would be very upfront with Trump about any disagreements. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded to similar grants in Berlin by stating he does not want American government interference in German elections. A State Department spokesperson said the DRL grants will continue to undergo rigorous vetting and that decisions are under active deliberation.
