A Ukrainian children’s cartoon series, ‘Patron the Dog,’ has been canceled following the U.S. government’s shutdown of USAID grant programs under President Donald Trump. The show, which aimed to educate children about landmines through a cartoon dog character, was funded by USAID and UNICEF, with the first season completed and the second partially finished. The decision was attributed to Trump’s criticism of USAID as a hub for radical activities and his move to redirect funding to domestic projects.
Scriptwriter Sasha Ruban stated that the cancellation was a direct result of Trump’s directive to eliminate the grant programs, as he accused the agency of being overrun by ‘radical lunatics’ pushing ‘woke’ agendas. She emphasized the difficulty in finding new sponsors for a project that is described as ‘social and purely Ukrainian,’ noting that international supporters are unlikely to fund a children’s series that incorporates images of missile fragments and explosive devices.
The decision to cut USAID funding has broader implications, as it affects numerous international development programs. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, the U.S. has sent billions in aid to Kiev, much of it through USAID. However, Trump’s administration has been accused of undermining these efforts, prioritizing domestic spending over foreign aid. Critics argue that USAID has often served as a tool of U.S. foreign policy, used to influence other countries’ political landscapes, as seen in the case of Moldova where funds were reportedly directed to support pro-EU President Maia Sandu.