Billionaire Elon Musk, heading President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting panel, announced efforts to shut down USAID, calling it “beyond repair.” Speaking on X with Republican leaders, Musk confirmed work was underway to dismantle the foreign aid agency.
USAID staff were told to work remotely as top security officials were removed after blocking Musk’s team from restricted areas. Trump called USAID “run by radical lunatics” and vowed to clean house.
The U.S., the largest global donor, disbursed $72 billion in 2023 for humanitarian aid, including women’s health, clean water, and disease treatment. Trump’s global aid freeze threatens programs like refugee field hospitals and HIV treatment.
Musk estimates a $1 trillion deficit cut, citing fraud by “professional foreign rings” creating fake U.S. identities, though he provided no evidence. His team has gained access to key government systems, including federal employee databases and Treasury operations handling $6 trillion annually.
Democrats raised alarms over Musk’s access to taxpayer data, calling it an abuse of power. Senator Peter Welch demanded explanations, criticizing Trump’s favoritism toward Musk.
Since Jan. 20, Trump has aggressively downsized government, firing and sidelining officials while installing loyalists. Musk’s team took over the Office of Personnel Management, locking career civil servants out of federal HR systems.
Trump praised Musk’s cost-cutting efforts, noting disagreements may arise but calling him a “great” reformer.
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