“Time For It To Die”: Trump and Musk Nuke USAID

What’s happening: The Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, recently waged a war on the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Musk labeled USAID a "criminal organization,” stating it’s “time for it to die.” Now, the agency is being dismantled by the Trump administration.

• Catch up: Founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID manages US humanitarian efforts worldwide, employing around 10,000 people operating in over 60 countries. However, the agency has a long history of being used to spread American soft power.

Adversaries’ criticism: In 2012, Russia expelled the agency for “attempts to influence political processes through its grants,” while China claims the US uses aid “as a bargaining chip.”

• Friends’ criticism: El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, a friend of Trump, also criticized USAID, claiming the money is used for “destabilizing movements” under the guise of supporting democracy and human rights.

Wasting funds: During a stream on X, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) revealed that USAID had obstructed her investigation into its practices, blocking access to its databases and reporting that up to 60 percent of its budget was spent on salaries and rent — not for development projects.

• Bizarre projects: The White House released some of USAID’s priorities, which included $1.5 million to advance DEI in Serbian workplaces, $70,000 for the production of a DEI musical in Ireland, and $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia.

• Funding Wuhan: The agency also funneled nearly five million dollars to EcoHealth Alliance — which was involved in research at the Wuhan laboratory that leaked COVID-19.

Dark operations: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused USAID of having deep ties to the CIA, alleging that it secretly funneled billions of dollars to spark political unrest in countries like Ukraine, which led to the 2014 coup that ousted a democratically elected government.

What’s next: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been named acting director of USAID, informally bringing the agency under the State Department’s purview. There are discussions in the Trump administration over shuttering it entirely.

Why it matters: USAID has spent more than 60 years spending enormous amounts of money on wasteful, or at worst, destructive projects around the world. This move reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to reshaping US foreign policy and cutting malicious institutions at home.