No, former first daughter Malia Obama didn’t get $2.2 million from USAID

The U.S. Agency for International Development has come under scrutiny since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, but claims the USAID benefitted a former first daughter are unfounded. 

"Can someone explain why Malia Obama received $2.2 million in funds from USAID? Enquiring, taxpaying minds want to know," read the text flanking an image of former President Barack Obama’s oldest daughter, Malia Obama.

"Oh the corruption," said a Feb. 20 Instagram post that shared the image. "Obama wasn’t even eligible to be POTUS!"

Yes, he was eligible for the presidency, and no, Malia Obama didn’t receive $2.2 million in funds from USAID, the U.S. government’s international humanitarian and development arm that Congress created under former President John F. Kennedy. 

This Instagram post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)

The claim was fabricated and originated Feb. 9 on America’s Last Line of Defense, a Facebook page dedicated to trolling conservatives. 

"Nothing on this page is real," the page’s bio says.

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We searched USAspending.gov, "the official open data source of federal spending information, including information about federal wards such as contracts, grants and loans," and found no evidence Malia Obama received $2.2 million — or any money — from USAID.

Her name is connected to two purchase orders made during her father’s second presidential term that also mention the U.S. Secret Service and protection: about $10,600 in lodging costs and about $30,400 in vehicle rentals.

We rate claims that Malia Obama netted more than $2 million from USAID False.