Elon Musk and trump’s Plan to Shut down USAID Sparks Global concerns
In a bold move to downsize the federal government, Elon musk, appointed by President Trump, has targeted the U.S. Agency for International Advancement (USAID) for closure. On Monday, February 3, 2025, musk revealed the latest progress in his efforts, describing the agency as “unable to save.” this announcement has sent shockwaves through the global humanitarian community,raising questions about the future of international aid.
Musk, who has been tasked with reducing the scale of the federal government, discussed the plan with technology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and others during a meeting with the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE). According to Reuters, the plan has the full support of President Trump, who has long advocated for a “U.S. Priority” policy.
USAID,the world’s largest single aid agency,plays a critical role in global humanitarian efforts. In the 2023 fiscal year, the agency distributed $72 billion in assistance worldwide, funding projects ranging from women’s health in conflict zones to clean water initiatives and anti-corruption efforts. According to UN data, the U.S.provided 42% of global humanitarian assistance in 2024.
The situation escalated over the weekend when two high-level USAID security officials attempted to block Musk’s team from taking control of the agency’s facilities. The agency’s website has been offline since Saturday, February 1, affecting over 10,000 employees globally.
trump’s “U.S. Priority” policy has already led to significant cuts in global foreign aid, causing widespread concern. As an example, Thailand’s field hospitals, mine clearance efforts, and life-saving drugs for diseases like AIDS are now at risk of being discontinued.
During a discussion on the X platform, Musk argued that shutting down USAID would help reduce the federal deficit by $1 trillion next year. He also accused the agency of being part of a “professional foreign fraud group,” tho he provided no evidence to support these claims.
The plan has faced sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Finance Committee member Peter Welch, who expressed concerns about Musk’s access to sensitive financial systems. These systems manage over $6 trillion in federal payments annually and contain the personal details of millions of Americans.
President Trump, however, has publicly backed Musk’s efforts, stating, “He (Musk) knows how to reduce costs… I think he is doing well. He is a smart person and very smart.” Trump also noted that while he and Musk share common goals, they do not always agree.
Musk’s influence has extended beyond USAID. Since January 20, his team has taken over systems at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government’s human resources agency, leaving civil servants unable to access employee data.
These developments are part of Trump’s broader government reorganization, which has included the firing and reassignment of hundreds of federal employees over the past 11 days. The administration aims to reduce bureaucratic agencies while hiring more loyal supporters.
| Key Points | Details |
|—————–|————-|
| Agency Targeted | USAID |
| Announcement Date | February 3, 2025 |
| Key Figures | Elon Musk, president Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy |
| Global Impact | $72 billion in aid at risk, 42% of global humanitarian assistance |
| Criticism | Democratic lawmakers, including Peter Welch, raise concerns |
| Trump’s Support | “He knows how to reduce costs… I think he is doing well.” |
As the debate over the future of USAID continues, the world watches closely, wondering how these changes will reshape global humanitarian efforts. For more updates, follow the latest developments on this unfolding story.
