Trump has pledged to end the epidemic by first targeting communities across roughly 20 States where the most HIV infections occur. Such a plan is very doable, according to HIV prevention experts, but these groups include gay, trans, black and Latino men, drug users and people living in Southern states without public health care. Constituencies that are stigmatized by the Trump administration, which is trying to build a wall on the Mexico border and kick trans people out of the military. In short, ending the HIV epidemic matches the scientific reality, but it doesn’t match the political reality.

The “beyond” in his speech is a reference to the U.S. support for global AIDS. It is ironic because ever since the start of his Presidency, Trump has been pushing for massive cuts in U.S. government’s budget allocations to both PEPFAR and the Global Fund year after year. Furthermore, we have seen his expanded Global Gag Rule, the defunding of critical HIV research at the National Institutes of Health, the defunding of planned parenthood and other community groups in the U.S. providing comprehensive sexual education and services.

The President’s Budget Request for FY 2020 is expected to be released by mid-March. We will then find out how much he will ask Congress for his plans to defeat AIDS in the U.S. and how big his proposed cuts for PEPFAR and Global Fund will be this time. Congress so far has fought back and maintained the same levels of funding for PEPFAR and Global Fund as under President Obama. Aidsfonds will continue to lobby with other international partners at the Congress to avoid any cuts in the international AIDS budget.