USAID

2025 - 2 - 3

Elon Musk and Donald Trump Team Up to Pull the Plug on USAID!

Elon Musk Donald Trump - Elon Musk - foreign aid - government efficiency - humanitarian assistance - USAID

When Elon Musk calls an agency 'criminal' and Trump agrees it's time to 'die', you know things are heating up in the political arena!

In a surprising turn of events, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has drawn the ire of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) by labeling it a "criminal organization." His comments came as President Donald Trump rallied against the agency, calling its leadership a “bunch of radical lunatics” and suggesting it should be shut down altogether. The back-and-forth between these two powerful figures raises eyebrows about the future of American foreign aid and development efforts. With USAID facing budget cuts and significant layoffs under the Trump administration, the prospect of its existence hanging by a thread suddenly feels all too real.

Musk's statements have culminated in a turbulent atmosphere within the agency, resulting in the suspension of two top security officials, John Vorhees and Brian McGill. Sources indicate that their leave of absence is part of the ongoing dispute engulfing the agency, where the drastic calls for a restructuring or total shutdown signal a worrying trend in American diplomatic relations. The tensions continue to build as the potential folding of USAID into the State Department mirrors a significant shift in how the US plans to engage with global development issues moving forward.

The billionaire is determined to rally support for his claims, expressing on social media that even Trump acknowledged USAID’s obsolete functioning. The winds of change are blowing fiercely, with Musk asserting that the agency is “beyond repair,” thus sparking discussions on the future of foreign aid initiatives. As citizens around the world rely on assistance from organizations like USAID, Musk's comments invite debate not only on the agency's effectiveness but on America’s role in global philanthropy.

In an ironic twist to the narrative, Musk's ventures in technology and space exploration often emphasize humanitarian commitments. Yet, his desire to dismantle an organization dedicated to humanitarian work appears contradictory. Whether or not his influence can actually impact USAID’s fate remains to be seen, but the conversation is undoubtedly heating up, and all eyes are on the unfolding drama.

**Did You Know?** USAID was formed in 1961 and has since been America's largest global aid agency, responsible for billions in funding to international development programs. With changes underway from the highest echelons of American governance, the future of this agency holds many uncertainties. **Extra Fact:** Trump’s previous administration voiced intention to cut funding for various organizations, but if USAID were to close its doors, it would mark a significant shift in American foreign policy and humanitarian aid delivery around the globe.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

USAID officials put on leave as Elon Musk says time for agency to 'die' (Aljazeera.com)

US President Donald Trump says he will end all funding to South Africa over government's land confiscations.

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Musk brands USAID 'criminal', Trump calls its leaders 'radical lunatics' (FRANCE 24)

Elon Musk attacked the US Agency for International Development, calling it a "criminal organization" on Sunday, as Donald Trump said the agency was "run by ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Two top security officials at USAID placed on leave, sources say (CBS News)

USAID Director for Security John Vorhees and Deputy Director for Security Brian McGill were put on leave last night, two sources confirmed to CBS News.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Elon Musk said Donald Trump agreed USAID needs to be 'shut down' (CNN)

Elon Musk said President Donald Trump agreed the US Agency for International Development needs to be “shut down,” following days of speculation over the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Elon Musk says USAid is 'beyond repair' and he is working to shut it ... (The Guardian)

Billionaire says in social media talk that Donald Trump agrees the world's largest single donor should be shut down.

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Image courtesy of "Politico"

Musk on USAID: 'Time for it to die' - POLITICO (Politico)

His statement comes as signs increasingly point to the Trump administration folding the development aid agency into the State Department.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Why does Musk want USAID 'to die'? And why did its website ... (NPR)

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. agency that funds aid projects has faced layoffs, a stop action order for most aid efforts and a disruption of its ...

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Elon Musk Says Trump Has 'Agreed' To Shut Down USAID (Forbes)

Earlier on Sunday night, Trump attacked the aid agency's leadership saying they were a “bunch of radical lunatics.”

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Image courtesy of "TIME"

'It's Beyond Repair': Elon Musk Says Trump Has Agreed to Shut ... (TIME)

It's beyond repair,” the billionaire adviser to the President said of the agency that administers billions of dollars in global humanitarian, development, ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Musk says he is working to shut down “beyond repair” USAID (Reuters)

Musk's social media discussion on the Department of Government Efficiency included Vivek Ramaswamy along with Senators Joni Ernst and Mike Lee.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

More USAID staff ousted as Trump administration dismantles aid ... (Voice of America)

The Trump administration removed two top security officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development during the weekend after they tried to stop ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Day"

USAID to be closed in cost-cutting drive, Musk says (Business Day)

The foreign aid agency is 'beyond repair', billionaire says, adding that President Donald Trump agrees it should be shut down.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Turmoil inside USAID: Staff to work from home as Musk seeks to ... (ABC News)

Amid ongoing turmoil inside the U.S. Agency for International Development, sources say that Department of Government Efficiency staffers have moved to take ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

USAid headquarters reportedly closed Monday and workers told to ... (The Guardian)

Orders come less than a day after top security officials suspended as Musk leads moves towards agency's closure.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Musk says USAID to shut down as employees told to stay home (BBC News)

The international aid agency's website is down and security officials were put on leave, US media reports.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

USAID staffers told to stay out of Washington headquarters after ... (Voice of America)

USAID staffers said they also tracked more than 600 employees who reported being locked out of the agency's computer systems overnight.

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Image courtesy of "News24"

Musk says USAID to be shut down in government cost-cutting drive (News24)

Billionaire Elon Musk, who is heading US President Donald Trump's drive to shrink the federal government, gave an update on the effort early on Monday, ...

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Image courtesy of "Brookings Institution"

Why merging USAID into State would undermine U.S. strategic ... (Brookings Institution)

George Ingram explains how efforts to merge USAID into the State Department threaten its independence and U.S. strategic interests.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Musk says Trump administration is on verge of shutting down USAID (CBS News)

Elon Musk, the administration's billionaire adviser and Tesla CEO, says the administration is on the verge of shutting the U.S. Agency for International ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Rubio announces he's acting director of USAID as Musk and Trump ... (CNN)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he is acting administrator the US Agency for International Development after Elon Musk, the world's ...

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WOCCU Asks Secretary of State Rubio to Honor Existing USAID ... (World Council of Credit Unions)

MADISON, Wis.—World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde on Monday sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

USAID: What is the government agency described by Elon Musk as ... (Sky News)

USAID aims to assist countries recovering from disaster and contributes a significant proportion of the world's aid budget. But now, according to Elon Musk, ...

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Image courtesy of "OPB News"

USAID headquarters in Washington are blocked after Musk says ... (OPB News)

The fast-moving developments come after thousands of USAID employees already have been laid off and programs shut down in the two weeks since President Donald ...

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Image courtesy of "MSF Southern Africa"

Freeze of USAID will result in humanitarian disaster | MSF (MSF Southern Africa)

In response to the freezing of US foreign aid (USAID) and abrupt dismantling of core infrastructure of the humanitarian aid system, Doctors Without Borders ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

What is USAID and why does Donald Trump want to end it? (BBC News)

The US aid agency spends billions around the world on humanitarian support - but its future is in doubt.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Trump targets USAID as Marco Rubio says he's acting head of the ... (NPR)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he is acting director the U.S. Agency for International Development, following days of upheaval at USAID as the Trump ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

More USAID staff ousted as Trump administration dismantles aid ... (Daily Maverick)

WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The Trump administration over the weekend put on administrative leave dozens more staff at U.S. Agency for International ...

Secretary Marco Rubio Appointed as Acting Administrator for the ... (Department of State)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

What is USAID? Who benefits from it and why Musk says he and ... (NBC News)

What is USAID, the foreign assistance agency the Trump administration wants to shut down? Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the U.S. Agency for ...

USAID Is Being Dismantled When the World Needs It Most (Center for Global Development)

On Monday, the headquarters were closed and Secretary Rubio was appointed Acting USAID Administrator. The rationale, according to a State Department press ...

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Image courtesy of "Credit Union Times"

WOCCU in 'Precarious Financial' Position Due to USAID Freeze (Credit Union Times)

WOCCU's leader sends letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking him to honor existing USAID funding obligations.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

US Secretary of State Rubio says he has become 'acting director' of ... (Aljazeera.com)

The Trump administration has sought to rein in US assistance abroad, with his advisers warning USAID could be closed.

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Image courtesy of "NewsNation Now"

Elon Musk-led DOGE effectively shuts down USAID (NewsNation Now)

President Trump's new DOGE task force is causing major shakeups within the federal government with the Elon Musk run agency having effectively shut down the ...

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Image courtesy of "WUNC"

Trump alleges USAID 'fraud' and puts Rubio in charge as Musk ... (WUNC)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he is acting director the U.S. Agency for International Development, following a pause in foreign assistance and layoffs ...

InterAction Statement on Recent Actions Impacting USAID - World (ReliefWeb)

News and Press Release in English on World and 1 other country about Humanitarian Financing; published on 3 Feb 2025 by InterAction.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

What is USAid and why does Trump dislike it so much? (The Guardian)

The US agency distributes tens of billions of dollars' worth of aid every year and is a key tool to promote soft power around the world.

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

'This work needs to continue': Sen. Coons says USAID helps keep ... (PBS NewsHour)

The U.S. agency tasked with overseeing foreign aid is put on the chopping block with potential risks for national security. To discuss the fallout over ...

USAID in Crisis: A Global Catastrophe Unfolding (Infection Control Today)

The sudden suspension of USAID funding is triggering a worldwide humanitarian emergency, threatening health systems, economic stability, and global ...

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Image courtesy of "WUNC"

Musk and Trump aim to shut USAID, setting up a showdown with ... (WUNC)

USAID is in the crosshairs of Elon Musk's government efficiency push, sending chills through the humanitarian world and drawing criticism from Democrats and ...

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Image courtesy of "ICTworks"

An Obituary for USAID: an Icon of Global Development - ICTworks (ICTworks)

USAID died this weekend. We will mourn the Agency's passing as humanitarian crisis happen around the world with no American response.

The Trump administration wants to shut down USAID. Rep. Raskin ... (NPR)

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland about the Trump administration's move to effectively close down the United States ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Gutting of USAID could cost thousands of American jobs (CNN)

The Trump administration's freeze of foreign aid and dismantling of the agency that oversees it is putting at risk thousands of jobs in the US and abroad, ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

USAID contractors fire staff, face cash crunch as Trump causes ... (Reuters)

Trump's overhaul of U.S. foreign assistance has led to chaos in the aid and development field, leaving hundreds of contractors in a severe financial crunch ...

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Image courtesy of "Kaiser Family Foundation"

What is happening to USAID? (Kaiser Family Foundation)

As has been reported, President Trump and others in his administration would like to dissolve USAID, U.S. agency for international development, ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

USAID contractors fire staff, face cash crunch as Trump causes ... (Daily Maverick)

WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's overhaul of U.S. foreign assistance has led to chaos in the aid and development field, ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN International"

Rubio says he's acting director of USAID as humanitarian agency is ... (CNN International)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he is acting administrator the US Agency for International Development, confirming the de-facto ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Deaths predicted amid the chaos of Elon Musk's shutdown of USAid (The Guardian)

The impact of the billionaire's declaration has been swift and brutal, with food and crucial drugs abandoned in warehouses, vital programmes closed and ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

What USAID does, and why Trump and Musk want to get rid of it (CNN)

Dozens of senior officials put on leave. Thousands of contractors laid off. A freeze put on billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance to other ...

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