Elon Musk shuts down USAID, sparking global aid crisis
Elon Musk, the billionaire behind the budget reduction program in the United States, announced on his social media platform on Monday the closure of the largest aid agency in the world, USAID.
In a discussion on platform X with American businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican Senator Joni Ernst, Elon Musk stated that USAID is "beyond repair," while U.S. President Donald Trump believes the agency should be closed.
The previous day, media outlets reported that the new U.S. administration had dismissed two heads of USAID responsible for security, who tried to prevent emissaries from the State Efficiency Department (DOGE), managed by Musk, from entering the agency.
Reuters recalls that USAID is the largest aid agency in the world. In 2023, it spent $72 billion on international aid. The funds support various programs, including increasing women's access to basic healthcare in conflict zones, access to clean water, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and anti-corruption efforts.
Last year, USAID provided funding for 42% of the world's humanitarian aid recorded by the UN.
According to Musk, USAID is evil
As "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported," Elon Musk has criticized USAID in various posts, calling it "evil" and spreading baseless accusations and conspiracy theories about the agency.
USAID "is a criminal organization. Time for it to die," wrote a close associate of President Donald Trump. This individual has significant influence on the American government, even though on paper he serves as an "external advisor" and has no political mandate, notes "FAZ".
In another previous post, Musk stated that "USAID was a viper’s nest of radical-left marxists who hate America."
The great overhaul
Donald Trump unequivocally supports Musk's budget-cutting actions. On Sunday, when the U.S. president was asked if the billionaire was "doing a good job," he confirmed and added that Tesla's owner is excellent at reducing costs.
Musk's teams have gained or taken control of numerous U.S. government systems. Since taking power 11 days ago, Trump has initiated a major overhaul of the government, dismissing or demoting hundreds of officials. This has allowed for a reduction of the administrative apparatus and the installation of individuals loyal to the president, Reuters emphasizes.
