Elon Musk indicates President Trump agrees to shut down USAID, citing agency inefficiencies and 'corruption'.
The U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) is facing imminent closure, according to billionaire advisor to the Trump administration and Tesla CEO Elon Musk . Musk stated that President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down the agency. USAID provides crucial assistance to countries grappling with disasters, poverty, and democratic reforms. This includes supporting war-torn regions like Gaza and West Africa, recovering from years of conflict. The U.S.
is the world's largest humanitarian aid donor, with USAID administering billions of dollars in assistance across over 100 countries. Founded by President John F. Kennedy during the Cold War to counter Soviet influence, USAID's operations are governed by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Musk's claims surfaced after a controversial live session on X Spaces where he discussed USAID with the president. He described the agency as 'beyond repair,' likening it to 'a ball of worms' that needed to be eradicated. His comments followed the administration's decision to place two top security chiefs at USAID on leave for refusing to hand over classified information to Musk's government-inspection teams. Despite this resistance, members of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established in collaboration with the Trump administration, eventually gained access to USAID's classified data, including intelligence reports. DOGE's stated mission is to streamline government operations through firing federal workers, cutting programs, and reducing regulations.The Trump administration has been aggressively targeting USAID, aiming to dismantle its operations and redirect its funding. This campaign has resulted in a drastic freeze on foreign assistance, effectively shutting down many USAID programs worldwide. Thousands of aid workers have been laid off, and the agency's leadership and staff in Washington have been significantly impacted by furloughs and leaves. This unprecedented crackdown on foreign aid has sparked intense debate, with Republicans and Democrats clashing over the effectiveness and necessity of humanitarian and development assistance. Republicans generally favor greater control over USAID's policy and finances, while Democrats advocate for greater autonomy and authority for the agency
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