Elon Musk's bold move: Shutting down the world's largest aid agency
Elon Musk, the billionaire responsible for budget reduction initiatives in the USA, announced on his social media platform Monday the closure of the world's largest aid agency, USAID.
During a conversation on Platform X with American businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican Senator Joni Ernst, Elon Musk declared that USAID is "beyond repair." U.S. President Donald Trump also believes that the agency should be closed.
The previous day, media reports indicated that the new U.S. administration had dismissed two USAID security heads who attempted to prevent emissaries from Musk's State Efficiency Department (DOGE) from entering the agency.
USAID is the largest aid agency in the world. In 2023, it spent $98 billion on international aid. The funds support various programs such as improving women's access to basic healthcare in conflict zones, access to clean water, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and anti-corruption efforts, recalls Reuters.
Last year, USAID provided funding for 42% of the world's humanitarian aid recorded by the UN.
According to Musk, USAID is evil
As reported by "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," Elon Musk has disparaged 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. He significantly influences the American government, even though he is an "external advisor" on paper without a political mandate - notes "FAZ."
In another past 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 over numerous U.S. government systems. Since taking power 11 days ago, Trump has initiated a major government overhaul, dismissing or demoting hundreds of officials. This has reduced the administrative apparatus and installed individuals loyal to the president, Reuters emphasizes.
